tooo funny!
Had to add this blog to my links!!!
http://merlotmom.blogspot.com
1 month ago
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
ah have some fun!
What sort of friend are you?
(we can still play these games)
http://fashion.glam.com/quizzes/detail/what_type_of_friend_are_you/
(we can still play these games)
http://fashion.glam.com/quizzes/detail/what_type_of_friend_are_you/
Monday, March 23, 2009
Mid-life crisis
Yup--- finally having mine!
Not knowing if it is the continued snow fall, boring non-fullfillling job, still having to raise child (just turned 22 on Friday) not sure- but I want to run away!
Sell everything- take the cash (put that art in storage) and gallavant around the globe for a year or so with a backpack!
Ride out the BIG R--- have some fun!
http://www.selfabsorbed.me/the-early-midlife-crisis/
Is this really what this life is about- collecting stuff? Hanging around to support our kids forever?
When is it finally going to be time for ourselves? When we are so old we can't do anything? OR when we are so old we don't remember?
HMMMMMM- don't be surprised if this BIG R thing continue you find my blogs coming from faraway little mexican villages!
Not knowing if it is the continued snow fall, boring non-fullfillling job, still having to raise child (just turned 22 on Friday) not sure- but I want to run away!
Sell everything- take the cash (put that art in storage) and gallavant around the globe for a year or so with a backpack!
Ride out the BIG R--- have some fun!
http://www.selfabsorbed.me/the-early-midlife-crisis/
Is this really what this life is about- collecting stuff? Hanging around to support our kids forever?
When is it finally going to be time for ourselves? When we are so old we can't do anything? OR when we are so old we don't remember?
HMMMMMM- don't be surprised if this BIG R thing continue you find my blogs coming from faraway little mexican villages!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Cooked Romaine lettuce
Cooked Romaine Lettuce
Ladies, I know this sounds a touch strange but a few years ago I had a Chinese university student stay at place on an exchange program and he was shocked we ate our head lettuce raw! He showed me how to cook head lettuce.... and it is very good.
Then, my brother got the idea- well if you can cook head lettuce bet BB'Q's romaine lettuce would be great!
Brian's BB'Q Romaine lettuce
1/2 and head of lettuce lenghtwise- sprinkle with salt, chopped garlic and pats of butter (olive oil can be used but treat yourself with the butter)
Lay face up-- allowing the larger leaves to hold the salt, garlic and butter) and BBQ for about 15 minutes- or until cooked! Yummy!
Then, I had the great idea with large amounts of romaine in stock and on sale at Costco-- (and also at a certain age it seems raw stuff gets harder on the tummy) I cooked my romaine on the stove with olive oil, garlic and red pepper flakes- no recipes as pretty easy- just saute down!
Yummy- easy on the tummy-- easy on the weight- !
Later, a neat cheap and easy recipe for under 200 calories!
weight! ughh!!!
Okay... following the mid-life meltdown, the mini-mental-health holiday and the post-post-menopausal fallout- I had to deal with a winter that has not yet ended --- and about 20 extra pounds (I think that is what it is but I am not about to get on the scale to confirm that!)
So, for the next few weeks or months I will be getting up at 4 AM--- running for an hour and doing ab exercises for half and hour and trying to get the wieghts in as well.
After work-- another one hour of walking- just walking so I can get to bed (and sleep) at 8- so I can get up at 4-4:30!
Now- some say 'gosh just get over it- you are getting older- accept the extra weight!"
Well, that may be- but I can't afford new clothes- so I have to get back into my clothes!
Will let you know how it goes!
So, for the next few weeks or months I will be getting up at 4 AM--- running for an hour and doing ab exercises for half and hour and trying to get the wieghts in as well.
After work-- another one hour of walking- just walking so I can get to bed (and sleep) at 8- so I can get up at 4-4:30!
Now- some say 'gosh just get over it- you are getting older- accept the extra weight!"
Well, that may be- but I can't afford new clothes- so I have to get back into my clothes!
Will let you know how it goes!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The letter
Note- what impressed me the most was the last paragraph- if a brain damaged young person can have this attitude about life- we older folks better start to 'roll with the program'.
To whom it may concern:
First of all, I would like to thank you for considering my application for this award. In the upcoming essay, I will outline my reasons for applying for this award.
Informally, let me take this time to say “hello” and introduce myself. My name is*****, I am 21 years old and I currently attend Norquest. I will attain all my 30 courses as to ensure I am as knowledgeable as the rest of the student body coming fresh out of high school. Furthermore, there is a chance I may attend a university outside of the province as I aspire to attend a school with a baseball program, so it will be important that I write my diplomas also. I am unsure as to what I will study in university at this point. Several possibilities have presented themselves: I have considered a bachelor of arts, with the hope of getting good enough marks so that I am able to further my education and pursue my masters after I am done, perhaps specifying in psychology or political science… I have also considered staying faithful to my career goal and see how far I can get down that path, possibly becoming a doctor.
When I was younger I sustained a very traumatic brain injury. One night, while I was stunting pur se, I flew 6 feet from outside of a vehicle and landed head first on a curb. I was then immediately rushed to the hospital. This incident occurred on the west end; thankfully the friends I was with were unaware of the Misericordia Hospital nearby, so instead they took me to the University Hospital, which consequently saved my life. If I were delivered to the hospital a half an hour later than I was, I would have been dead. As the doctors later determined, I suffered a brain stem injury.
I am uncertain as to what part of the brain stem but if you are unaware the brain stem controls many of our automatic functions and serves as a communication center between the cerebellum and the frontal lobe. I was in a coma for nearly a month.
During those days while in a coma my mom was constantly asked to consider what kind of standard of life she would like me to have since it was predicted I would be in a vegetative state for the rest of my natural life upon release from the hospital; she was also asked on several occasions if she wanted me to be an organ donor. At one point, sneakily, not wanting anyone to know what they were up, the University Hospital, on a Sunday, phoned a specialist to come in and determine whether or not they could legally unplug me. According to law, if someone in coma has minimal brain activity, the institution that individual is in cannot legally unplug him/her; conversely, if that person is pronounced brain dead, that institution can legally pull the plug without approval from family or anyone in a state of authority of the individual hospitalized. It’s politics, it is a matter of money, consider how much money was being spent on me to keep me alive, lots! I appreciate the fact that they wanted me to go; they wanted to clear up space for someone who might have a chance at living, since I didn’t. Well, luckily, I had brain activity and they could not be rid of me so easily. A short time after that, I began to make such gains that I was transferred to the Glenrose, where I stayed for 5 more months.
During my rehabilitation at the Glenrose, I re-learned how to talk, walk, eat and how to use the washroom by myself. Basically everything we take for granted.
The accident disabled me both physically and mentally. But I hope not to the extent to which it “disables” me from fulfilling all my dreams and aspirations. I know that it is not holding me back at this point in my life. I am trying to attain the highest marks in school possible by working extremely hard and therefore getting my acceptance into a University of my choice. I also work extremely hard at rehabilitating my physical nature also. I workout when time permits; I also train during the winter with a group of athletes at Athlete’s Nation in St. Albert. I do whatever I can to ensure that I live the most fulfilling life possible attempting to limit any regrets down the road. I have big aspirations which I know I will achieve.
I don’t come from the richest or the poorest family, although considering “poor” is just a frame of mind. I live with my mom but I have full support from my father also, who is a big part of my life. My mom, to say the least, has seen better days financially, but it is not the end of the world and we will get through it. My father, similarly, is not the richest man. I do not live in poverty but this money that this award offers would help me out considerably. I work part time at the Alano club, a sobriety club, one day a week for 6 hours. My other form of income is from the government that I receive for going to school.
Last year I entered a contest called, “Agent For Change.” I became aware of the contest from advertisements on the bus. Its motto was, “someone 16-22 will change the world, is it you?” My answer was, “yes, it is me.” Sadly, it wasn’t. It wasn’t the end of the world though, it was fun. The contest’s criteria was to submit a 5 minute video, no longer, to the Agent For Change website. It asked that your video contain what you think should be changed in the world, and how you will make that change. I not only said that the publics political awareness/involvement should be increased, but that the publics environmental awareness/involvement should be increased also. The theme was too broad and I did not submit realistic enough solutions to be considered for top 10. I would be honoured if you checked out my video: you can access it by Googling *****or alternately you can go to You Tube and type in, “Agent For Change ****
I am also a member of the ACE student board committee. I have attempted to implement a recycling program into the school of Norquest also, but to no avail.
Another attempt that I have made to reach out into the community, for all the life experience I have accumulated so far in my life, is that I have contacted three schools, to date, and asked them to allow me to speak to their student body to talk about life choices and how they affect your life down the road. I would explore topics like drugs, insecurities, sports, work ethic and how important school really is. Sadly again, I got rejected. I have one more school I have in mind to contact. I feel very passionate about speaking to students of that age because when I was that age, to summarize my state of mind, I was a lost cause. I feel that there may be similar children who are experiencing the same problems that I faced. I think how sad it is how kids make such poor choices during a time that they don’t understand is so crucial to their future. I am just lucky that I have been given the chance to do things again that at one point in my life I took for granted, I can’t say everyone is that blessed.
In context, I have provided you with a brief history of my life. I listed some of my aspirations and dreams; I included some of my family background and a brief understanding of the obstacles I have overcome, and obstacles, that consequently, I face everyday.
One thing I am not afraid of is failure. They say that everyday you have a window of opportunity that presents itself, and that it’s up to you to take advantage of it. We as humans don’t know what opportunities to choose, or even when an opportunity actually does present itself. That is why I believe that you must do anything and everything that catches your attention, because that could be the opportunity you‘re looking for. It is also said that we make our own luck. Meaning, that if we do everything in our power to better ourselves, we’re creating opportunities for ourselves. In everything I venture into, I venture into 110% with the intention of being successful and finishing what I began.
I thank you for your consideration of my application and I look forward to hearing back from you. NOTE: I have also submitted my diploma transcript for English
To whom it may concern:
First of all, I would like to thank you for considering my application for this award. In the upcoming essay, I will outline my reasons for applying for this award.
Informally, let me take this time to say “hello” and introduce myself. My name is*****, I am 21 years old and I currently attend Norquest. I will attain all my 30 courses as to ensure I am as knowledgeable as the rest of the student body coming fresh out of high school. Furthermore, there is a chance I may attend a university outside of the province as I aspire to attend a school with a baseball program, so it will be important that I write my diplomas also. I am unsure as to what I will study in university at this point. Several possibilities have presented themselves: I have considered a bachelor of arts, with the hope of getting good enough marks so that I am able to further my education and pursue my masters after I am done, perhaps specifying in psychology or political science… I have also considered staying faithful to my career goal and see how far I can get down that path, possibly becoming a doctor.
When I was younger I sustained a very traumatic brain injury. One night, while I was stunting pur se, I flew 6 feet from outside of a vehicle and landed head first on a curb. I was then immediately rushed to the hospital. This incident occurred on the west end; thankfully the friends I was with were unaware of the Misericordia Hospital nearby, so instead they took me to the University Hospital, which consequently saved my life. If I were delivered to the hospital a half an hour later than I was, I would have been dead. As the doctors later determined, I suffered a brain stem injury.
I am uncertain as to what part of the brain stem but if you are unaware the brain stem controls many of our automatic functions and serves as a communication center between the cerebellum and the frontal lobe. I was in a coma for nearly a month.
During those days while in a coma my mom was constantly asked to consider what kind of standard of life she would like me to have since it was predicted I would be in a vegetative state for the rest of my natural life upon release from the hospital; she was also asked on several occasions if she wanted me to be an organ donor. At one point, sneakily, not wanting anyone to know what they were up, the University Hospital, on a Sunday, phoned a specialist to come in and determine whether or not they could legally unplug me. According to law, if someone in coma has minimal brain activity, the institution that individual is in cannot legally unplug him/her; conversely, if that person is pronounced brain dead, that institution can legally pull the plug without approval from family or anyone in a state of authority of the individual hospitalized. It’s politics, it is a matter of money, consider how much money was being spent on me to keep me alive, lots! I appreciate the fact that they wanted me to go; they wanted to clear up space for someone who might have a chance at living, since I didn’t. Well, luckily, I had brain activity and they could not be rid of me so easily. A short time after that, I began to make such gains that I was transferred to the Glenrose, where I stayed for 5 more months.
During my rehabilitation at the Glenrose, I re-learned how to talk, walk, eat and how to use the washroom by myself. Basically everything we take for granted.
The accident disabled me both physically and mentally. But I hope not to the extent to which it “disables” me from fulfilling all my dreams and aspirations. I know that it is not holding me back at this point in my life. I am trying to attain the highest marks in school possible by working extremely hard and therefore getting my acceptance into a University of my choice. I also work extremely hard at rehabilitating my physical nature also. I workout when time permits; I also train during the winter with a group of athletes at Athlete’s Nation in St. Albert. I do whatever I can to ensure that I live the most fulfilling life possible attempting to limit any regrets down the road. I have big aspirations which I know I will achieve.
I don’t come from the richest or the poorest family, although considering “poor” is just a frame of mind. I live with my mom but I have full support from my father also, who is a big part of my life. My mom, to say the least, has seen better days financially, but it is not the end of the world and we will get through it. My father, similarly, is not the richest man. I do not live in poverty but this money that this award offers would help me out considerably. I work part time at the Alano club, a sobriety club, one day a week for 6 hours. My other form of income is from the government that I receive for going to school.
Last year I entered a contest called, “Agent For Change.” I became aware of the contest from advertisements on the bus. Its motto was, “someone 16-22 will change the world, is it you?” My answer was, “yes, it is me.” Sadly, it wasn’t. It wasn’t the end of the world though, it was fun. The contest’s criteria was to submit a 5 minute video, no longer, to the Agent For Change website. It asked that your video contain what you think should be changed in the world, and how you will make that change. I not only said that the publics political awareness/involvement should be increased, but that the publics environmental awareness/involvement should be increased also. The theme was too broad and I did not submit realistic enough solutions to be considered for top 10. I would be honoured if you checked out my video: you can access it by Googling *****or alternately you can go to You Tube and type in, “Agent For Change ****
I am also a member of the ACE student board committee. I have attempted to implement a recycling program into the school of Norquest also, but to no avail.
Another attempt that I have made to reach out into the community, for all the life experience I have accumulated so far in my life, is that I have contacted three schools, to date, and asked them to allow me to speak to their student body to talk about life choices and how they affect your life down the road. I would explore topics like drugs, insecurities, sports, work ethic and how important school really is. Sadly again, I got rejected. I have one more school I have in mind to contact. I feel very passionate about speaking to students of that age because when I was that age, to summarize my state of mind, I was a lost cause. I feel that there may be similar children who are experiencing the same problems that I faced. I think how sad it is how kids make such poor choices during a time that they don’t understand is so crucial to their future. I am just lucky that I have been given the chance to do things again that at one point in my life I took for granted, I can’t say everyone is that blessed.
In context, I have provided you with a brief history of my life. I listed some of my aspirations and dreams; I included some of my family background and a brief understanding of the obstacles I have overcome, and obstacles, that consequently, I face everyday.
One thing I am not afraid of is failure. They say that everyday you have a window of opportunity that presents itself, and that it’s up to you to take advantage of it. We as humans don’t know what opportunities to choose, or even when an opportunity actually does present itself. That is why I believe that you must do anything and everything that catches your attention, because that could be the opportunity you‘re looking for. It is also said that we make our own luck. Meaning, that if we do everything in our power to better ourselves, we’re creating opportunities for ourselves. In everything I venture into, I venture into 110% with the intention of being successful and finishing what I began.
I thank you for your consideration of my application and I look forward to hearing back from you. NOTE: I have also submitted my diploma transcript for English
ahhhh- kids!
Gosh, I am not the most buttery of women or mothers.
Those of you that know me- know that many folks find me distant- and cold- then the ones that actually know me- think of me as quirky-- (I like that better). The folks that truly know me- know that I am actually a complete marshmallow when it comes to the people I love... my pets.. my son-- and some of my great friends.
My son has given me the run of my life- starting as 10 pounds 11 ounces baby and growing into a child with ADHD (attention deficient -hyper-activity disorder)...then to those lovely teenage years, drugs and all-- then the famous brain injury.
Well, after almost going bankrupt to get this kid on track- I feel so 'fluffed up today.....
I am attaching an essay he has done (his name deleted for the web)....
Yup- surviving the trials and tribulations of life, marriage, death, injury, work--- and seeing the light at the other end of the tunnel does make it all worth-while.
My ramblings- many of you are going through rough times- I have aload of experience in rough times- get up every day- put on your rose coloured glasses - put one foot in front of the other and carry on.
At night crawl into bed and thank the universe this day is over (bless the day if it was a good one) and know that tomorrow has the opportunity to be better than this last day.
Do that every day and you will be able to get through whatever challenge you are facing-- also as I heard a friend say "when you are going through hell don't stop"
Those of you that know me- know that many folks find me distant- and cold- then the ones that actually know me- think of me as quirky-- (I like that better). The folks that truly know me- know that I am actually a complete marshmallow when it comes to the people I love... my pets.. my son-- and some of my great friends.
My son has given me the run of my life- starting as 10 pounds 11 ounces baby and growing into a child with ADHD (attention deficient -hyper-activity disorder)...then to those lovely teenage years, drugs and all-- then the famous brain injury.
Well, after almost going bankrupt to get this kid on track- I feel so 'fluffed up today.....
I am attaching an essay he has done (his name deleted for the web)....
Yup- surviving the trials and tribulations of life, marriage, death, injury, work--- and seeing the light at the other end of the tunnel does make it all worth-while.
My ramblings- many of you are going through rough times- I have aload of experience in rough times- get up every day- put on your rose coloured glasses - put one foot in front of the other and carry on.
At night crawl into bed and thank the universe this day is over (bless the day if it was a good one) and know that tomorrow has the opportunity to be better than this last day.
Do that every day and you will be able to get through whatever challenge you are facing-- also as I heard a friend say "when you are going through hell don't stop"
Sunday, March 8, 2009
the Bragg!
Yiphhe!!!
Have to share this !
I have one of these for a few years- well made, fun easy to use!
(Now I need the panty one too-- gosh just in case I get to go anywhere!
(sorry, the images are not downloading correctly- but come on back and we will fix that!)http://www.thebragcompany.com
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