I will no doubt be up to the bathroom at some point & will remember to look out the window too!  I like eclipses!

Good morning all!

I didn't see a blood moon, or an eclipse, or anything else in the sky . . . I think I slept all night long til 6:15 - a good sleep.  Hope you had a good sleep too chemgal, and hope your health issues turn around soon.

What did you seen, carolla?

Tea on, coffee ready, croissants and spreads on the table, fruit and yogurt there too.

This day will only pass by once . . . going to try to make the best of it - have a good one!

Hope, Peace, Joy, Love . . .

Thanks Beloved.  I woke up a few times, but fell back asleep ok, never bothered to get out of bed.  I'm actually pretty rested, considering my stress level and the fact that I had a pretty long nap yesterday.

I'll need to find low energy distractions today.  I do want to get out shopping quickly, otherwise I think it's going to be the internet, netflix and reading.

I'm off to Phoenix on Thurs for easter weekend, with a friend from work. We just booked a segway tour!

double post

Here it was around midnight. Full Moon - burgandy in colour. Didn't see it. It will be a couple more times this month, I think. It is a lunar eclipse.

Awww, wished I hadn't missed it.  Must have been awesome.

Travel safely and have a blast, Tabitha!

Heard it wasn't visible in the East.

I had a phone call with Tabitha last night, in preparation for our real life adventure, which is why I am headed to Vancouver as well.

It was good to hear a voice instead of just text or images.

We have snow today. I am taking a short break from work to post and relax.

Hoping everyone's day is going well

Calgary stabbing of 5 students by son of policeman. University end party in quiet neighbourhood. It has stunned anyone who hears it.

A BSD party?  I think I saw a headline about a stabbing, didn't look into it, I should look it up.

Wow, that's awful . . . a lot of broken hearts and pain in Calgary today and in the days ahead.

It was a Bermuda Shorts Party :(

I have fond memories of celebrating them.  Starting off early at pancakes and baileys parties.  Going to classes with special drinks in waterbottles.  It could be 20C the day before, but most of them ended up snowing for at least a portion of the day, sometimes quite a bit.  People would stay lined up for hours anyway to get into the beer gardens.  In the evening there were celebrations throughout the city, which was a big thing as it's a commuter campus.

It was immature but lots of fun.  The hospitals would have an increase of alcohol poisonings, but for the most part there wasn't too much trouble.  Free public transit to discourage drunk driving.  Exams aren't written yet, so it's a nice way to have a break before hard core studying starts.

This wasn't even a big party.

Sad to hear of the party gone tragically wrong - seems it happens more than we would like to think. 

Tabitha - segway tour - what FUN!  I've always thought that would be an interesting thing to try - hopefully there will be pictures!  And the warm Phoenix weather will be a treat too!

No eclipse visible here - just rainfall, cloudy sky, and by morning - snow on the ground again! 

Went to a lecture on Buddhism this morning - fascinating!  Interesting to hear of the many, many similarities in the life story  of the Buddha, and Christ.  Makes one wonder. 

I thought the eclipse was supposed to be tonight. 

So, I guess I will just go with the crowd on this one...  "It was too cloudy at my house."  Yea... that's it!

lol There's a good chance it was!

I heard about the Calgary stabbings -*shakes head in dismay*.

Pinga - are you going on a canoe trip with Tabitha? That should be tres cooool!. And Tabitha is jaunting off to Phoenix to warm up, sounds like fun.

I missed the sky event - cloudy.  Darn it anyway every time something interesting is going on up there it is cloudy, snowing or -40!  This winter I missed several opportunities to get aurora photos  *pouts*.

Had lunch with a group of old fogy friends today and got caught up on some news in teir lives, whic is always enjoyable. 

Also popped into the drugstore and bought some reading glasses so I can see the writing on the computer screen without squinting and straining. It seems like magic!  I can't say that I'm enjoying Windows 8.1.  Too many little pop up boxes with teensy writing in them!

Too many things wrong with it to start with, which is why I still live in Windows 7. Make sure you get Update 1 for 8.1. (a) because it makes it more usable for conventional mouse and keyboard users and (b) because Mickeysoft won't be supporting base 8.1, only 8.0 and 8.1 Update 1. If your computer (or tab) is configured for automatic updates, you should pick it up automatically.

Mendalla

Hope you got some cool and funky reading specs, Kay .

Thanks for sharing that, chemgal.  Many persons lives changed in a moment.

. . . and that's why Mendalla is one of the "three" who is working so hard on Wondercafe2 (and doing a super job)  - I got left behind at "make sure you get Update 1 . . . " 

Calgary has an awesome mayor ... he has my complete respect.

GRRRRRR!!!!  Since it was a nasty afternoon, I decided to do our taxes.  Have used the H&R Block software for several years & it was easy to follow, and thorough - so I ordered it again this year.  TERRIBLE!  Not intuitive to use, & unable to even see the full detailed result unless it gets counted as a submitted return - and there is a limit on how many you can do. Line number, box numbers, error reports - very confusing.  The split income for pension amount is not working properly and I cannot figure out why - neither can the "support" guy on the phone - "elevating to level 2 support staff" somewhere in South Asia by the sound of it. They 'hope to' get back to me in 3-4 business days.  Really H&R???  I think this will be your last year with me!!  GRRRR!!!  

Okay - rant over.   I think I will go knit now.  All that lovely serenity from the Buddhism lecture this morning has left me!!  

Peace, Harmony, Laughter, Love Carolla .

All this on-line stuff isn't what it is cracked up to be sometimes  I spent a bit of time today trying to access my on-line subscription to our local newspaper.  They changed their way of getting it to their customers and the changeover is frustrating.

Peace, Harmony, Laughter, Love Carolla .

All this on-line stuff isn't what it is cracked up to be sometimes  I spent a bit of time today trying to access my on-line subscription to our local newspaper.  They changed their way of getting it to their customers and the changeover is frustrating.

That was definitely worth saying twice Beloved!  Peace, love and harmony & certainly laughter ... breathe in, breathe out ... knit one, purl 3 ... 

Yes, KaytheCurler,I am going canoeing with Tabitha on a trip she is leading.  It is a wonderful gift to be able to do.

The snow here was still falling when I left work at 6pm tonight.  I was picked up by my oldestson who was feeling good about some stuff that is stressful.  

I was pondering Beloved and other's comments in this thread over the years of the concerns for children, in part due to the wisdom offered just a bit ago about the concerns we carry, and that it never goes away.

I am aware of the angst that I pick up for my children.  Not that I live their lives or direct them, but, just aware of when they are worried and hurting and realizing the importance of them working through it and being themselves, but, just like watching them run down the street, fall, and learn to pick themselves up with a gentle hug...so important to be able to do the same as they progress through lifes hurdles.

thinking of all parents of kids , even if those kids are 50

This version of the room was started about a month ago, it doesn't take long to get quite a few pages!

I'm trying to relax before my treatment training tomorrow.  It isn't really working, but at least it's just general anxiety and it isn't giving me that sick feeling in my stomach, an improvement from a month ago.

I think I am recovering from an abnominal attack though, probably due to stress on top of some of the more chronic symptoms.  Hopefully the meds will work!

Oh Carolla - we always use Netfile (I think) and my sweetheart never has trouble with it.  Of course, he never has trouble doing taxes - he's weird that way.  (Or wired ;)  )  

I'd have been interested in that lecture!  It sounds fascinating.  No matter - the morning was a wild goose chase of sorts (for a few in my household too!) so maybe that is where your tax worries came from too.  That full moon maybe.

Anyway everything lightened up after lunch when my sister & her 3 boys came for a visit.  They live in NY state, so about 7 hours away and we dont' see them often.  The boys are 8, 6 & 1.5, so this was a treat for everyone.  We had a birthday party (even though the birth dates were last week) because cupcakes and candles are fun.  Plus my boy is their hero, so they were in a party mood.  It was tons of fun!

I got my stuff ready for our joint Good Friday service - good to check stuff off the list!  And now Easter intergenerational things, and some youth group stuff to plan.  BUsy but good.

Our youth group is busy, with some shadows for a couple of the kids.  We're planning a parent's night for next week along the lines of Pinga's thoughts - how do we help them help themselves, but first, let's create a safety net of caring, attentive  adults who can "Be the Village."  I only have 2 hours!!  And I"m not perfect at it either.  

Cheers everyone - coffee, cinnamon buns and a hug this morning.  (Anyone notice I've been around more?!  Part of my 'be kind to myself' plans!!)

Birthstone, I love that "be the village" approach and caring attention.  It is hard.  It is harder if the parents of the ones having the most challenges aren't part of the solution.  Hoping you can walk the line that this takes.  Peace to you.  (gosh, I know that I am not perfect at this stuff.  very hard)

What a wonderful full house you have.  I bet your son is the apple of their eye.  Oh my goodness, I can hear the laughter (and all the other stuff of  house full of family).

My husband is off to Ottawa for a couple of days. So, just the boys and I.

I stayed up way too late cleaning up shared drives and sharepoint sites and my work computer.  Having been in the company for years and having been engaged in many projects, I had neglected to do cleaning.

My desk needs less attention, as I keep very little that I print, having moved my desk multiple times over the years.  I have now been 5 years in the same building, and have accumulated stuff again...need to likely do it one quiet afternoon (if only I had a quiet afternoon)

In a way it is like my house.  Living here for so many years, we slowly accumulate "stuff".  It has value...but less and less, and reality is, someone else can be using it.  Need to get busy purging again.  The house looks so much better when emptier.

I'll be headed out soon.  I'd appreciate any prayers, thoughts and well wishes to just stay calm and focused today, right now I am neither - thanks!

Does that hug come with a little scratch between the shoulder blades? mmmm, thanks Birthstone!  I'm glad you are here and ready to hug.

Chemgal - calming prayers for you today.  You know what is best for you... rest, tea, and standing up for yourself when you don't think you're being heard.

6pm last night a young man walked into the Cornwall Centre Mall down town. Stabbed 4 people. 3 were taken to hospital and one was treated and released. Everyone is okay this morning.

What is happening in our world? Gangs? Copycat?

People trying to prove that you can kill people with knives as easily as guns.  (note: i disagree.  knives takes personal contact, up front, etc.  harder to kill a large #

I'll check back when we're done talking about scary/sad things.  I don't watch the news so that I don't have to think about this stuff.

Tears, discouragement and sadness when I think of all that is wrong in the world - wars and rumours of wars, climate changes, mass murder.   Is there any hope? 

Jesus came into the world preaching peace, justice, right relationships, the love of God, love for one another.  He not only preached it, he modelled it.  The kingdom of God is a hand.  Follow me, follow the way I live.   Two thousand years have passed.  Has anything changed? 

Somehow we have to see past the negative and find positive things to dwell upon.  Today we had about a dozen people show up at the church needing help.  We chatted with them.  One man walked with a limp.  He told me how he had broken his leg a few months ago - cutting wood.  'Do you qualify for  compensation?' I ask him.  We have volunteers who can help with legal advice and paper work.  But no, he was working with a self-employed friend who was cutting and selling firewood.  No compensation, no sick benefits.  Just laid up and no job.   He spent a week in the hospital, was shown how to use a crutch and sent home to live on Assistance ($510 or so a month) until he is able to work again.  He was so very grateful for the little help we were able to offer.  Jesus said feed the hungry.  We do our best. 

In the midst of the terrible things we hear about, there is hope.  Some day we will find a way to right the wrongs.  

So, while snow falls once again in NB, and the rivers rise - and young people are stabbed in Alberta - fires burn in Chili - and war threatens in the Ukraine - I do what I can.

Today I look forward to my new dishwasher.  Seelergirl and her special man are coming for dinner - after the two men go to Sears and pick up it up.   I'm serving scalloped potatoes, pork chops, and aspergus.  And I think there is an apple pie in the freezer from last fall. 

Seeler, I hope that self-employed friend is pitching in some help for the fellow with the broken leg.  what an awful story.

Chemgal - I hope today went better than expected, and you're home to rest and recover now. 

The parent's night thing is coming together and I'm always grateful for my co-leader who is also a life-coach.  He sees things a bit differently than me and we work well together.  With stabbings and recent local suicide of a teen, and all the regular troubles, we have to do whatever we can.  Too much sadness, but we can always create joy.

Thanks Hilary and Birthstone.  It was really hard.  There was a fire drill during the first time I tried.  I broke the skin but didn't even make it into the vein and I had to give up.  Doing it myself without having it done before was too much.  When I first showed up the nurse thought I would have had the medication before in emerg, but the last time I had an IV I would have been 0-2 years old.  Chemguy got into the vein his first try on me, but it wasn't set up properly.  We took a break for lunch and then learned how to prep the medication and then I was to try again and actually use the IV that time to infuse.

I got it that time.  The nurse helped secure it once I was in.  I felt so light headed but she was celebrating that I did it so that helped perk me up.  I started the infusion, felt really dizzy and laid back while Chemguy injected the rest.

I think as long as Chemguy is around to help I'll be ok.  That's not the case though, so I'll go in a few more times, hopefully doing it all by myself with supervision.  I will also have to learn to do it with both hands, I wasn't about to try doing it with my non-dominant hand today.

Chemgal - that all sounds so challenging.  Is there someone else who could help you with it when chemguy is away from home?  Or somene else who does it and can give you some practical advice?  It doesn't sound safe to be alone while trying to do it, getting light headed with a needle in your hand sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.  I haven't heard about many people needing this type of treatment, but the ones I know of get it done in the Outpatients area of the hospital, or by a nurse at the Doctors Office, or by a nurse wo comes to their home. 

Kay, if it was only scheduled treatment I probably would.  It's important to be able to treat in an emergency though.  I have to carry it with me wherever I go.  It's also nice to be able to have the freedom of not being tied down by appointments.  It's not a temporary condition, it's life-long.

The lightheadedness is all just psychological.  It will get easier, and when I say supervision I mean I will be going to the clinic for my next few scheduled doses until I feel comfortable.

I appreciate your concern and I know it will get better!

Chemgal, is it an IV needle that stays in your vein for a while (say 30min or so) or is it a needle that goes in for a short time..(hope you don't mind e asking)

I'm remembering IV needles being thicker than standard blood withdrawal needles

It's 20mL that needs to be injected slowly, so about 10 min or so.  lol I really didn't have a good sense of time today to be certain.  It can't all just be pushed at once, a bit of a time and then you relax until you see blood in the tubing, repeat multiple times.

Chemgal, you are a brave, brave woman! I hope this all comes along well for you.

Saddened by your news of this recent incident crazyheart, does sound like a copycat, doesn't it?

Seeler, glad you are getting your dishwasher installed. Do you like this special man in seelergirl's life? Hope he is a good person and treats her and her family well.

Seeler, glad you are getting your dishwasher installed. Do you like this special man in seelergirl's life? Hope he is a good person and treats her and her family well.

Thanks for the buns and hugs Birthstone, glad being here is part of being good to yourself. Enjoy your family time together!

Hey Hilary, Pinga, and Kay! I disappeared for the day and the room was full and active. My good news - found some goat's milk yogurt in superstore!

Beloved I am in awe of your care an feedrng ofthis room

Thank-you

Good practicing Chemgal and don't sign off until you feel really competetant. Take as long as you need and good for you being brave and learning this.

lol I'm not that brave Beloved, there were a few tears after my first attempt.  Glad you got your yogurt :)

I will Tabitha!  Between the nurse and then maybe Chemguy a few times I won't be alone doing it the next little while.

It's nice to have this place to be able to have a place to run through the appointment.  It was long, not a full 8 hours, but I was there for 5.  Between the stress and the physical symptoms from the stress things have blurred together a bit.  I'm feeling pretty confident about what all the steps are and doing most of them though.

I will try and lighten it up. Did you ever think , Beloved , that you would get excited over a goat.

Seeler, a dishwasher floats your boat.

Here are some coloured eggs and 3 chocolate eggs ( small( one for Pinga, one for Chemgal and one for Chemguy.