We have those too, not just downtown.  It's actually illegal to start crossing the street once the countdown has started, which seems to defeat part of the purpose.

OK I'm off to the doctors today. I'm actually feeling better than Thurs. But this cough is persistant. My son woke up with my coughting over the weekend-at 530 am.

and my front throat glands are tender. and I'm ready ALREADY for it to be over and my enegy  to be back and my cough to be gone!

*sigh* After getting allergy testing done, I was told I could eat foods that previously I carefully avoided.  I went to the doctor today as I was told to get in within 24 hours of the reaction (I figured another 24 hr wouldn't matter).  Now I have to be more restrictive than what I used to be.  At least until things are figured out.  She's worried that I sensitized myself enough that things that used to be safe won't be anymore

Tabitha, I hope you get out of there quicker than I did!

Tabitha - I'm glad that you are going to the doctor.  Your cold has hung on too long. 

repeat 

repeat

Yesterday I was pleased with myself.  I drove for an hour each way to reach the churches where I was doing pulpit supply.  And I was able to put energy, enthusiam and creativity into my message - ad libing parts and adding to my script. 

Today I went bowling and bowled slightly above my average. (I was a bit worried that last couple of weeks when my bowling scores were low - I was afraid that my medication was losing its effectiveness). Today I'm saying 'not bad for a person with Parkinsons'.

Sometimes I'm scared to death when I think what might be ahead of me and not knowing how long this period of relatively good health will last. But generally I'm just thankful for each good day.

double post.

Enthusiasm x4!

Glad to hear it went well Seeler!  I'd love to hear you speak sometime.

seeler preached several times yesterday-that's why she's repeating herself today.

I was in and out of doctors in  1 hour. I had called and they fitted me in at the end of the day.

I do have a lung infection-more than cold compounded bt allergies. Started antibiotics

It was my front throat gland getting sore, and waking son up that made me go in.

I'm still only a 7/10 on my overall symptoms-with a 10 being very sick-but the length this has held on is too long.

Just letting this new doctor get to know me. I think we'll get along fine.

Once-when I was in my 20s-I went to a walk in clinic. Doctor asked what the problem was and I said pneumonia.

He said he doubt it. He was the doctor and could make the diagnosis-my job was to tell him the symptoms.

And so I did. Then he listened to my lungs. Then a chest x-ray. Then back in to see him. "You have pneumonia he said. Yes I siad in my lower left lobe.    After that we got along fine and he respected what I said.

This time-this doctor and I decided to skip x-ray. Treatment would be same either way.

Here's to helath and to Canada's universal healthcare and to having a drug plan at work!

Hey Seeler - have you seen any episodes of Michael Fox's new TV series?  I haven't, but was reading about it in the weekend paper - sounds interesting.  I loved his comment - "I can play any role - as long as it's a person with Parkinsons!" 

great doc story tabitha!   Hope the antibiotics do their job and you will soon start to feel more like yourself. 

Hoping people are feeling better and sleeping well.  I should be tucked in, but, just felt like posting photos and cleaning up a bit.

Had a hot shower and hoping muscles aren't too tight tomorrow.

Killer frost last night.  Seelerman had to warm up the car and scrape the windshield to go for his morning coffee.   Brrrrr.   (Seeler puts another birch log on the fire)

I foolishly attempted to go to work today. Then I re-thought and realized a day off would actually be wiser. I'm beginning to feel better but am not fully well. Let me rest and perhaps read a book and let those antibiotics work!

Tabitha, glad you are taking another day of rest . . . work will wait :).

seeler, for his next gift, you will have to get seelerman a window cover . . . at least then he won't have to scrape the front window!

Beloved, I haven't heard of a window cover for when it's cold, only a shade for when it's hot!  Where do you get them.

It was really chilly last night.  We set up some Hallowe'en decorations and we would both duck into the garage while we debated what to do.  I had picked up some foam gravestones.  Unfortunately, the are really light weight and were flapping pretty good in a slight breeze.  I might put them inside, but they stunk so badly when I had taken them out of the wrapping, I'll have to smell them first.

Today is going to be warmer, and I'm glad.  I think it was maybe -5 to -7 last night, but it felt cold!

Tabitha glad to hear you're resting today.  I was wondering when you said your weight still felt heavy after being sick for a while and it wasn't an infection.  Those chest infections are draining, hopefully you got some meds that treat it quickly!

I'm not sure . . . My MIL had one many years ago. Some people use an old blanket that is long enough and just keep it on place by closing each side in the door.

chemgal-my neighbour put out flimsy gravestones. Then last night they reinforced them-with a stick up the back. seems to work.

Enjoy your first halloween in your new house!

I just googled "winter front window shields" and several sites came up for online purchasing.

Beloved, I could imagine a blanket freezing to the windshield lol

How well do the covers work?  Is it only for minor frosts?  Chemguy won't park his work truck in the garage, and he works further north with the truck uncovered often.  If they work well it's something I would consider buying for him!  He's going to be getting a smaller truck soonish, so I might wait for that.

Tabitha, it's a good idea, I don't know how motivated I am for this year though.  I'll see how bad they stink first :)  When I cracked open the package of one it was like I opened 100 sharpies in a small room.  They've been open in the garage for a while now.

We are having fun with decorating for the first time!  We didn't buy much though, I'm going to see what's for sale on the 1st :)

We have had blankets leaving fluff on the car window,  Also had snow in the car when  blizzard struck overnight and found the slightly cracked open door.

One solution was having  car crazy children, not old enough to drive - they enjoyed the honour of starting the car.

For me the next best solution was to have a remote starter - hit the button, finish getting ready - pop on a jacket and get into an already warmed car.  A quick flip of the wipers and away!

Sad to say that my current car doesn't have a remote (but on rare occasions hubby will start it).

It's a busy week in my little corner of the world - including much time spent doing church work. Last night we had an excellent counselor come and lead a session with anyone who wanted to be there regarding the situation our congregation finds itself in. I was really impressed with how open and respectful everyone was - and so was our counselor. Even though we had many differing perspectives, everyone really took the opportunity to listen to and learn from one another. At the end of the night our counselor, who has been practicing for over 20 years, was so moved by our participation that he shed some tears as he told us how inspired he was by how we interacted with one another and really created a safe and nurturing space. That was pretty cool! Today I got together with some friends who were there last night and went for tea. This was a way for us to debrief and to talk about how we might start to move forward. We had some good ideas that I am going to take with me to my next council meeting. 

This evening, I went with two other friends to a really neat pumpkin display that one of the local municipalities puts on every year - some of the best pumpkin carvings I have ever seen, that's for sure!

Tomorrow evening I will go to something called the Life Tree Cafe. I go most Wednesdays. It's an interesting non-denominational Christian gathering where we sit at a local coffee shop and talk about different topics each week. Topics have ranged from mental illness to homosexuality to wrongful convictions. Each week we watch a video about the topic and talk in table groups of about 4 people. Tomorrow evening the topic will have to do with Halloween, but I don't recall the specifics.

On Thursday, during the day, I will be helping to set up the stall that I am volunteering at for our church's annual bazaar. I've switched stalls this year, and am excited to be volunteering at a stall with some of the youth. We'll be selling toys. I really like the convenor - she's very easy going and lots of fun, so I'm sure that both the set up and the actual bazaar day will be filled with laughter.

Thursday, of course, is also Halloween - so I will probably celebrate by going for a walk in the neighbourhood in the early evening.

On Friday morning, I will be helping a friend to move. She has helped me move many times in the past and so I am happy to be able to return the favour. On Friday evening I shall collapse into my bed exhausted I am sure!

Saturday will be entirely consumed with the Bazaar.

Sunday will also be entirely consumed with church. After the main service, the healing pathways team at our church has offered to do a service for the families in our congregation - again related to the situation we find ourselves in. In the afternoon I will be attending a convenanting service for two friends of mine at another United Church in this city.

So it will be a busy, but good week!

Cold!!!!  Really cold - minus 5 when we got up.  I hope that our clients for food vouchers have warm clothing to come to the church this morning.   I've got to go and get ready for them - coffee, bananas, sandwiches, cheese & crackers down there.  I'll leave the coffee pot on here for you to fend for yourselves.   I put a couple of big maple knots on the fire.  It should be good for a couple of hours. 

Somegal, that is busy!  Especially with moving, I always need a rest after that.

I carved my pumpkin last night.  I don't think it's going to qualify for any pumpkin patches, but it's done.  lol  I think this is the first time I've done one completely on my own.  Hopefully next year Chemguy will be around and maybe we should pick up a carving set instead of using kitchen knives.

Seeler, I'm not ready for those temperatures quite yet, even though we've already had them!  It's a bit above freezing right now, and luckily it will be above freezing for the kids tomorrow, but we're also supposed to get a snow/rain mix, hopefully it comes down outside of the prime trick or treating time.

It's been chilly in the evenings around here - hovering around the freezing mark, but the days have been sunny and warm. Right now it's about +7.

I'm off to go and find some suitable wings for my Halloween costume.

Today we had a small number of clients coming to the church for help.  It's that time of month when OAS, CPP, disability and assistance cheques come.  Not all our clients receive these benefits.  Today I talked to a single mother of 3.  Less than a year ago she was diagnosed with a chronic illness.  She thinks that was why she was laid off from the job she had held for about 15 years.  Now her EI benefits have run out.  She has two part time jobs - both pay minimum wage and total at best less than 30 hours a week.  She keeps checking the job bank, sending out resumes.  She needs a winter coat, dental care, and food for her kids.   Some of our clients come because they've made poor choices (alcohol, drugs, choosing the wrong partner); some are physically or mentally ill; some just haven't had the breaks.  I hope that being friendly, giving them a cup of coffee and a nourishing brunch while they wait for their food vouchers is doing some good.

2nd day home for me-and not going to church board meeting tonight. I just couldn't get out of bed this morning.It was a tough night with lots of coughing.

But with another dose of antibiotics in me I've had enough energy to get the dishwasher on.Coughing is greatly decreased and I feel i am truly getting better.

Tabitha - now is the time to make sure that you don't overdo it.  You are feeling better but you still need recovery time.  Be careful not to push yourself too hard.  You are an important person.  You need to take care of yourself.

Tabitha - it's good to know that you are on the mend! 

Seeler - it sounds like the ministry that you and your fellow congregation members are offering is a real blessing to those who need help in your community. Just being there to provide a listening ear is so amazing! 

The conversation at Life Tree was good tonight - it was all about the paranormal. It ranged from debunking myths to talking about the unexplainable experiences that we had personally had.

Talking about the unexplainable is so interesting (at least, I think so).  Did you share, or hear anything weird?

Happy Halloween everyone. Have fun and stay safe.

You beat me too it....Tabitha....

SO I will echo the sentiment....Please have a FUN and SAFE Halloween.

*Peace* ~ ~ *Peace*

MaDiva

aka: Tao

aka: Wolfie

I also echo the sentiment - Happy Hallowwen everyone!

I didn't have any good stories, but a friend had one that has seemingly no explanation. He is a retired military chaplain and was posted to the navy base here in Victoria. When he arrived, he was given a room that nobody else wanted because the last man who lived in it had seen what appeared to be two ghosts - a man talking to a little boy. My friend wasn't scared by this story, and was instead quite interested in it, so he did some research. What he uncovered was that in the 1800s an officer who was a  resident of that room had died there accidentally. Then, in the 1930s, a young boy was run over by a milk cart just outside the window - and he died of his injuries. These stories had apparently been essentially forgotten - and were unknown to the person who saw the ghosts.

We also heard a story about a therapeutic riding farm that was haunted. That story was debunked by a specialist team who went in there and used special equipment to explain what was going on.

Good Evening everyone!

It is a beautiful night here for the little trick or treaters . . . no snow, clear, was sunny earlier, and no wind.  Have had about 40 kids so far.  Starting to quiet down a bit, the little ones are done.  The ones coming now are a bit older.

I didn't get my pumpkin carved so didn't get a candle in it.  I painter with black marker a face and draped some white flashing Christmas lights over it.

Watching Big Bang and awaiting Grey's .

Stressful stuff going on at church . . . another meeting tomorrow . . . sometimes it sucks being board chair . . . definitely . . . definitely not paid enough . Where people join in community there is possibility of conflict and issues.  Wish things could go smoothly for longer periods of time.

Have a great night everyone!

I feel that church pain Beloved. While I am not the chair of our council, I am on the council and am directly affected by our biggest issue right now. I hope that your congregation is able to learn and grow through this difficult time.

Home from Boston folk, where the home folks were pretty excited about winning the world series.

had a great conference, but things at work are challenging.  Gotta continue to keep my distance until Tuesday, due to dad's surgery on Monday...will see how it goes

Phew beloved - I was reading your post at 9:30 and realized I'd missed the first half of Gray's!!  Thanks for the alert - I squeezed in the last half :-)  Hugs to you re your church challenges - people, sheesh! 

Got my big stew made this evening (tasty & tender - thanks friends!), interspersed with answering the door for the little goblins.  Not quite as many as usual, as our weather is wet & windy - but at least very mild.

Now to finish up packing some stuff - going on a retreat this weekend to Five Oaks with women from my church - looking forward to it.  Our theme is "God's Piece in our Puzzling Lives." 

I'll just drop a big bowl of leftover goodies here in the corner - not too close to the fire, so no risk of melting the chocolate!  Halloween sweetness for all. 

Glad the stew turned out. Like Beloved no carved pumpkin this year-I stopped at canadain tire and got a plastic one that lights up.

70+ trick ot treaters so far

Cats have to be kept in tonight. Old fluffy one is fine and curled up on a chair. Young one keeps wanting out.

I take the screen out of my door and then can keep the screen door shut and the cats in.

We had 58 trick or treaters.  10 p.m. and I've turned out my lights - there shouldn't be any more now.  I've got gazzillions of treats left!!  And I can't eat any :(.

We had an excellent time at work today for Halloween. We kept it pretty low-key because we knew that they would all be getting candy at school and would be on sugar highs by the time they got to us. We have a seniors centre on site, so we took all of the kids trick or treating there. When we arrived, many of the seniors were seated in a circle in their common area. The kids were invited to go around, meet the seniors and receive some candy. The seniors were so happy to see the children and the children enjoyed interacting with the seniors (and of course getting the candy). When we came back, I allowed the children to choose one candy to eat and then put the rest away until later. As soon as they were done eating the candy, we put on some Halloween music and had a dance party. 

Myself and most of my co-workers got dressed up for Halloween. Ironically the other person who works in my room and I both chose to go as plays-on-words. She was a ceiling fan - she wore a shirt with the words "Go Ceilings!" on it and carried around pom poms. I was "time flies" - I wore wings on my back and a homemade clock around my neck. Both of our costumes got plenty of chuckles from folks.

Because I live in a condo, I get no trick or treaters at my door - so instead I went for my usual walk around the neighbourhood. There is a house half a block down the street that is incredible - lights, decorations, spotlights, etc.

carolla, you're going to Five Oaks without me????

Five Oaks is kinda special to me - it's where I first met so many of you. (Thanks Pinga for your efforts in making it "happen".)

I remember walking around with my label and thinking "If John could see me now".

You folks are the best.......

I was a bit surprised, we only had a bit over 50 kids.  I saw some posts on a community page, it ranged from 20-100+ kids depending on what street people were on.  I was surrounded by quite a few houses that didn't hand out candy, so we might have had some who just skipped our street as it was pretty dark compared to others.  Lots of little kids, as they get older we'll probably get more when they are up to doing more houses.

Hard to believe isn't it Pilgrims Progress??  You (and many other WC friends) will be with me in spirit!   We're staying in the Chalet building - a good thing, since there is a silent retreat taking place in the main building - and my group is definitely not silent!

Have a great weekend, carolla!

I too wish you a great weekend, Carolla.  The wind will be humming through the trees, what a delight to be tehre.  

Have fun Carolla!

I am officially exhausted - and the weekend has barely begun! The bazaar is all set up and ready for its' first customers at 10AM tomorrow. It should be a crazy yet fun day!