Ahhhh.... Almost..... Soon

I managed to get clear from work before 10 this morning so I headed for the house as Lynda had invited me for brunch during a late night phone call last night. She had asked me to pick up bread and while in the grocer's I noticed a display of flowers. The produce manager Curly (a bald guy) saw me checking them out and told me they had just come in the door. Amongst them was a beautiful bouquet of deep red roses - they had Lynda's name all over them. It's a day early for Valentine's but better early than to come up short at the last minute; I bought them. She liked them a lot and we had a couple of good hours together catching up on our news.

I came home to clean up and change before my neuro appointment, dashed off again and had one of the shortest sessions ever with a doctor. 'Champix / Chantrix for you?? Not a chance!' The latest news regarding it is the FDA is reviewing whether to continue to make it available or not - there have been a number of suicides associated with its use and increased incidence of psychotic episodes. 'Try hypnosis, the patch and gum, accupuncture, laser therapy, go herbal and don't smoke but you aren't going on this medication.' Okay doc - that's why I rely on you. You know best. (...and you were right Susan in your warning)

Seeing as how it has done nothing but snow here recently I went to Mom and Linda's place to check on them, see if they needed anything and whether they needed any shovelling done. I wakened Linda when I arrived; she'd been resting completely prone on the living room sofa. She's still not feeling awfully well, moving very freely nor eating or drinking very much. We three yacked while Mom and I had a couple of cups of tea.

Supplies have been running low here on the homefront so on the way home I stopped at a department store and grocery to re-stock on some essentials. Dinner is in the oven cooking while I've checked friend's blogs and caught up on emails. It is simple but rib-sticking fare... mmm.... mmm

I had the pleasure of running into and catching up with friend JPW the other night. We hadn't seen one another in months, since we met up at that chicken joint.... in the fall? He's looking well, is happy and has been as busy as a one-armed paperhanger; sorta like me. Which is the best reason we haven't met up - our schedules don't jive. One day again soon, I hope.

Earlier when I stopped in to clean up I checked my various email accounts and there was a disturbing one from 'Woodys' foster dad. A bare bones message with no details; that Woody had been removed from their home the previous evening; that I should call his worker for details. ACCKKK! Crap!! His life just changed dramatically for the worse. The message I left with the worker is unanswered.

There was a plan in mind for tonight - a soak in the tub, a movie, maybe a snooze. I've been dithering about trying to figure out whether I should go out and take in a meeting for my own benefit, or stick to the plan. I'm going to stay in and get some rest, I think. As I was leaving the house earlier today I invited Lynda to pack a bag and come by when she gets off work later. Now that's a plan I'd like to see come together.

Oh - one last thing. I haven't posted comments to friend's blogs much lately but I make quick check-ins and I also know who my frequent visitors are. Kel, your trip will soon be upon you - may it be everything you can possibly imagine and much, much more. Robin - your writing, your photography and the way you match them up with your collection of quotes continues to dazzle me. Awesome! The Exquisite E - beautiful child. BJ - keep those prayers coming; mind if I share one here one day? JPW - stop lurking and being lazy; post a comment once in a while. Susan - good to be back in touch.

Time for the show folks...... gotta go.

Laying Low......

.... and trying to shake this damned cold. I think the bronchitis part of it is gone but now I'm stuck with the worst head cold I can remember. My nose runneth over...... sore ears, throat, blah, blah, blah..... (whine bag).

I had intended to come home last night but Lynda wanted my car today to get my sister Linda to the hospital. She was supposed to have a day surgery and be released late today but they had to really slice her open and will keep her a couple of days. After Lynda arrived back at the house we gallivanted (doncha just love that word?) around town for a couple of hours but I quickly ran out of steam after lunch, bailed out and came home to bed. My favourite 'too sick to do anything else' video went into the machine - 'Babe' - and I alternated between watching and snoozing; all the while sniffling.

I hadn't missed any of my commitments until last night when I chose not to attend my home group - first time I'd missed that in ages. Today I called and cancelled tonights session with young 'Woody' and I'm hoping to combine a meeting tomorrow with he and his new probation officer with an outing. Just as I was heading up to bed earlier my assistant manager called to ask if I would work a day shift tomorrow and one of those long sleep over shifts Thursday. I begged off for tomorrow in order to rest but told him I'd see him Thursday a.m.

What else is taking up head space?? Well, the democratic and republican hopefuls involved in the primaries south of the border are getting a lot of talk - especially Hillary and Obama. I'm not informed enough as yet to really have a favourite but do appreciate Hillary's profile and record.

In terms of entertainment, the only new thing I have is the Eagles latest release 'Long Road Out Of Eden' and I love it - highly recommend it. I keep listening to it over and over and continue to be amazed with the intricacies of it. Beautiful........

While we were out today Lynda and I had a bunch of pictures printed to send to Sarah, Daniel and Zeph from their Xmas trip here. Along with some clothes we bought for Zeph, they'll be parcelled up and posted tomorrow. I'll have to get onto Sarah and see if she has any recent ones to send our way - which I will share, of course, as any proud Papa would.

Time for another hot cuppa, aspirin and bed. Later.....

Taking My Time.....

......If there is any one good thing about being sick it would be the restricted energy which forces you to ssllooooww ddoooowwwnnnn......



It's been sort of nice having a few days off work so as to do not much of anything too demanding. Lynda and I managed to fill the weekend quite nicely without pushing to accomplish a great deal. I fit a couple of unscheduled naps in there when I ran out of steam.



It's back to the salt mine tomorrow though; a full day at the Tx centre and then the evening working with the young fellow again. Which reminds me - I haven't given him a name for reference here yet. The first one I dubbed Arlo so how be I call this one Woody. Our times together have been good and bad so far; some nights he's engaged and quite animated, others definitely not. As in; do you have a pulse? At times he is involved in making some changes, some good choices.... then he back slides directly into old ways of thinking and acting. Seesaw battle.



Today I spent a couple of hours giving my CV an overhaul getting it ready to be sent hither and yon. A friend had forwarded a copy of his for me to refer to as he has written it according to the most popular format of the times. According to him there is a software which scans CV's for key words and does a first rough sort for the person involved in the hiring process. Sounds a little 'big brother-ish' to me.... but time is money.



Tonight I chaired at my home group meeting and I had left arranging for a speaker until today. I put out a couple of calls around noon and one of the guys agreed to do it. He did a great job describing the extent to which his drinking had affected his life, then his approach to recovery and how life is going as he pursues ongoing sobriety. His talk tonight was somewhat different from one I heard him give some months ago and that tells me he is continuing to learn, process and apply the program in new ways.



It is likely wishful thinking but I have a half-assed plan to go visit Sarah, Daniel and Zeph in Vancouver at the end of February. With Zeph being so young and changing so quickly I'd like to be around to see as much of his young life as I'm able to witness and be part of. The big question mark as always is $$$$$'s.

Cuz I want to do more of this!!!!