I went to cuddle and love my furry friends in the double wide trailer.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
As I noted previously the trailer roof has extensive water damage and needs to be entirely replaced. IF YOU CAN MAKE A DONATION TO THE RAPS CHARITY AT THIS TIME IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. See the photos below provided by Karen, showing the damage.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
When I got to the shelter on Thursday I was a Scratching Post:
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
But truly I am just snuggled and loved by endless happy cats.
The Richmond Animal Protection Society has a sponsorship program designed to help provide the cats at the shelter with loving care.
For $15 per month, you can help to ensure that one of our precious cats is well-nourished.
As a sponsor, you will receive a photo of your cat and, if you live in our area, are welcome to visit your kitty as often as you'd like. The cats all need love and attention, and always appreciate company.
To find out more about how you can sponsor a cat, click here.
Richmond Animal Protection Society is always in need of hard-working, dedicated, loving volunteers to work at the shelter or to assist us with fundraising. The only way we can continue to save these precious little lives is with the help of animal-loving people. Our volunteers work in shifts to care for our cats and to keep the shelter a clean, comfortable environment. We also need people to drive to our feeding stations and care for the cats at those sites.
If you wish to volunteer at the RAPS Cat Sanctuary, volunteer shifts are from 9 AM to 12 noon and 6 PM to 8 PM daily. If you wish to volunteer at the RAPS City Shelter, volunteer shifts are from 9 AM to 12 noon daily. Volunteer shifts are usually two hours long, and we recommend that you commit to just one or two shifts a week.
We also are in need of volunteers to help out at events, Farmers' Markets, and to work on various fundraising committees and special tasks. Come meet fun people and spend time with wonderful animals!
Running shelters like RAPS is a very costly endeavour. For the City Animal Shelter and the cat sanctuary combined, RAPS need to fundraise around $500,000 per year. Most of the animals arrive unfixed and without basic veterinary care such as vaccines, deworming and other parasite treatments. RAPS current veterinary expenses average $13,000 per month!
The RAPS thrift store revenue and municipal contract cover almost 100% of our administrative costs. When you donate to RAPS, you can be assured that your donations will be used to directly benefit the animals.
Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS) is a registered charity that operates two shelters in the City of Richmond, British Columbia. Our first shelter, on No. 6 Road in Richmond, is North America's largest cat sanctuary. At this shelter homeless and abandoned cats and kittens are rescued and cared for. Most of these beautiful animals would have otherwise faced starvation, injury, disease and an early death due to the many hazards in their environment. The cat sanctuary is currently home to more than 800 animals.
This Wednesday night I filled in on a shift at the Richmond Animal Protection Society Cat Sanctuary. I went to cuddle and love my furry friends in the double wide trailer. I'll see them Friday again.
[There when I arrived, there when I left.]
[Andy]
As I mentioned last time the double wide trailer roof has extensive water damage and needs to be replaced. It is an unexpected expense for the charity. If you can help out now even more so than before, it would be greatly appreciated.
[Leonard snoozing on the dryer]
[Note the ceiling]
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
On January 8, 2007, Richmond's mayor and council voted unanimously to make the Richmond Animal Protection Society organization their new partner in caring for the homeless animals of the City of Richmond, British Columbia. RAPS look forward to the challenges and rewards that await them in this exciting new endeavor!Euthanasia at Richmond Animal Shelter has come to an end!
Surrendered local animals will now receive effective training and have time for rehabilitation, or recovery from illnesses, and much greater prospects for adoption to new homes.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Lap Time:
[Winnie always gets cuddles as does this unknown named black adorable girl]
[Jake wants back up... to snuggle some more.]
[Marmalade and Leonard get some cuddles]
Every Saturday afternoon at the RAPS City Shelter at 12071 No. 5 Road in Richmond you can donate your spare change, Coins for Cats and Dollars for Dogs. Kids and schools can collect coins too! Classes who wish to collect as a group can contact the shelter for a visit from a Kennel assistant and a shelter animal. Email the RAPS City Shelter at raps.shelter@telus.net for more details.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
[Not twins... but the second one is called Last Chance]
Yes, I give up my Friday nights to do charity volunteer work. Not for some image, not to impress anyone, or put on some facade - I do it for my SOUL. I love it, it truly fills me with love and joy and last night it felt like I hadn't been there in too long.
Everything seemed to get done so quickly, so afterward I snuggled for a good hour on the sofa chair with many different kitties. Leonard crawled into the pile of cats on me to get in his snuggle, hugged me over the shoulder and mushed his head into my neck. The other staff that passed by all were going "awwww". I wish there was a camera on me at that moment. It was bliss. Winnie was on my lap, and Marmalade was trying to share (she isn't too keen on other cats) and snuggled up in my right arm. Audrey, Lillix and a slew of others (remembering names is hard!) all took turns for a quick kneading and cuddle. Groucho too, I adore that big boy, my food tester. There is this adorable little female black cat no one seemed to know the name of, that cuddled the whole time against my thigh, upside down so I could rub her belly. She has such green eyes. So pretty.
How something like that can not be love, I don't know.
Sadly though, the roof of the double wide trailer I normally work in has leaked and the whole thing needs replacing. OUCH. The Sanctuary could REALLY use your donations now to replace that roof, as it will be a nasty expense that they were not expecting. Please visit the Richmond Animal Protection Society Cat Sanctuary web site and make a donation or visit the Sanctuary on Sundays and meet the cats for yourself and donate then.
I took a lot of photos Friday night. Yes, I give up my Friday nights to do charity volunteer work.
All photos are on my Flickr account in the set: RAPS CATS.
CUDDLES
YAWN!
Daisy is adorable and cuddly.
Daisy's Story
A passerby travelling in Burnaby came across an unconscious kitty at the side of a road. The kind-hearted individual took the animal to the SPCA hospital in Vancouver where she regained consciousness.
Her prospects for adoption were bleak because her face was deformed and she cowered in her cage, growling and hissing. The woman who'd found her pleaded with the SPCA to not euthanize the cat, as she was determined to find a home for her.
Newly named "Daisy" was accepted into our sanctuary to the delight of our volunteers who discovered she was tame and very affectionate. We call her our "Koala cat" and have appointed her the official mascot of the shelter. Daisy is certainly our most popular girl.
Springer is always at the front gate to spring up and say hello.
Groucho is a sweet boy, my food tester during dinner time.
Full Belly = Sleepy Time.
Spending hours loving these animals is one of the best things I have ever done for my soul.
My father loves cats too. We used to have 9-12 cats I think. Each time a new cat would appear in our house, he would eagerly give that cat some food and make that cat a part of our home.
It has been a strange journey in my life to lead me here.
Friday the 13th.
My lucky day.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
This the day I change the course of my life.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
I appreciate those of you that always read and commented.
I just have nothing left in me to give to this anymore.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
I will continue to post about the Cat Shelter and good causes.
I will post information on my future poetry book to be sold on my Cafepress, and when I finish my paintings I will share those, but that is all I have left to share.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
THANK YOU ALL for your years and years of support and love.
May the love spread.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
pre-written & posted by Barbara Doduk & scheduled to publish @
9:11 AM 6 comments
I saw your Twitter account saying you were closing down the blog, but I still don't understand why. At any rate, I hope it's for the best and that you do what you want to do. Much love.
I thought since I have been addicted to music since I was a kid I would add a feature here that will allow me to reflect on the favourite music through out my life. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Since the first random shuffle seemed to land so much on the music that I have a lot of the artist, I felt it didn't give you a good selection of the 7000+ tracks that I have in my iPod / iTunes.
So Let's do it again.
#1. "Love Like A Fountain" by Ian Brown. Ian Brown was the leader of The Stone Roses, and is quite frankly my musical god, so this is a great way to start, because I worship Ian Brown's music. I hope The Stone Roses can do a reunion tour, and I can see it. PLEASE UNIVERSE, PLEASE!
#2. "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" by The Darkness. Last year, on my birthday Paul got up at The Roxy and sang this to me. (He used to sing it when he was in the cover band there before.) It is a silly but fun song for sure.
#3. "Screwed It Up" by Limblifter. A nice bit of unknown Can Con (Canadian Content) rock for those who would never know, I really liked the writing and music of Limblifter and prior to that Age of Electric.
#4. "Pleased To Meet You" by Wolfmother. ROCK!
#5. "Who? Where? Why?" by Jesus Jones. Ah High school hits.
#6. "Fuck Me Pumps" by Amy Winehouse. Groovy and fun lyrics. Before the break out album.
#7. "Everybody" by Alern-8. Retro techo.
#8. "Flim" by Aphex Twin. As I wrote about him before, he trips out my brain. I love it.
#9. "Heroin is so Passé" by The Dandy Warhols. I saw these guys in concert, great fun.
#10. "Good Day Sunshine" by Slowdive. Trippy guitar dreamy stuff that was the 90s.
#11. "Only A Few" by Spacehog off the Resident Alien album. Rock of the 90s.
#12. "Where Is My Mind" by The Pixies. Ah high school.
#13. "Stray Cat Strut" by The Stray Cats. I loved this band as a little girl. I had a tee shirt with the cat on it.
#14. "Head Run Wild" by The Mock Turtles. Ah high school.
#15. "Love" by The Sundays. She has a great voice. I regret not going to that concert.
#16. "Sweetest Truth (Show No Fear)" by Stereo MC's from the Help album (1995). A great album, with a lot of brilliant Brits singing on it for a good cause.
#17. "What A Good Boy" by Barenaked Ladies off of the album Gordon. I loved that album, and really adored this one song the most, so it was a nice surprise to have it pop up and remind me what a great album that was. Canadian music doesn't all suck.
#18. "A House Is Not A Home" by The Charlatans UK, one of my favourite all time bands, off the Us and Us Only album. A great album. The title track is one of my favs. This is a good one too.
#19. "Intergalactic" by The Beastie Boys... weird timing. HAHA I really thought these guys were funny. Brass Monkey...
#20. "Sin Sin Sin" by Robbie Williams. As before noted, I love Robbie. Seriously love Robbie. (Note I saw him in concert once here in Vancouver, and it was brilliant in a small venue.)
#21. "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith. I actually really like Aerosmith... good rock 'n' roll.
#22. "Fait Accompli" by Curve. The review on how much I adore Curve is coming.
#23. "Bonfire" by Lamb. I all ready did a review on how much I love her voice.
#24. "Charlotte Sometimes" by The Cure. Naturally I was big on The Cure in the 80s.
#25. "Violently Happy" by Bjork. I love her Debut album, I was a Sugarcubes fan before even.
This is so much fun. I think I will do it more often.
Fantastic! I don't recognize any of these songs, so that gives me some work to do. Your playlist is especially exciting to me because I've been working on one for my (extremely new and empty) blog. Great visual design you've got going too. Music time!
I thought since I have been addicted to music since I was a kid I would add a feature here that will allow me to reflect on the favourite music through out my life. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
I love guitar rock done well, and The Music are an alternative rock band from Kippax, Leeds, comprising Robert Harvey (vocals, guitar), Adam Nutter (lead guitar), Stuart Coleman (bass) and Phil Jordan (drums).
Robert Harvey sounds to me like a modern day Roger Daltry (The Who). I first heard "Take The Long Road & Walk It" and I was hooked. They are to me what any good guitar rock band should be.
In 2002, following another EP (The People) they released their eponymous debut album which reached #4 in the UK album charts. Their debut single was re-issued as part of a two-disc set to promote the album, and reached #14 in the singles chart. Two further singles from the album, Getaway and The Truth is No Words reached #26 and #18 respectively. June 2003 saw them filling in for an absent Zwan on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival.
"The Truth Is No Words" (2003)
In autumn 2004, they released their second album Welcome to the North and the accompanying single Freedom Fighters, before touring with Incubus. August 2005 saw the band play at the dual-venue V Festival. In late 2006 they played a few UK gigs and subsequently posted on their site the video new song entitled, Fire, which would eventually be released on Strength in Numbers two years later.
"The People" (2002)
The band signed a new deal with Polydor in 2007 and spent the rest of the year recording their third album with producers Flood and Paul Hartnoll.
"Idle"
Idle is probably one of my favourite songs although I often forget about it's greatness. Or the song "Drugs" wow.
"The Last One"
During this time Harvey also revealed the reason for the band's extended absence. On The Music's official website, he told of his initial abuse of drugs in his mid-teens: "the addiction began to sit into its groove. At first it was a joy then [sic] later became a habit and a way of escaping". He later quit drugs, but around the time of the band's second album, had replaced the addiction with alcohol: "Drinking became the place to hide. I'd have a bottle of wine before 7pm, then go out and make a fool of myself. The next day was always panic and more questions; it took a close friend to say to me 'Robert, you are depressed'". He sought help at the end of 2005, and undertook a program that included medication.
In June 2008, the band released their comeback single "Strength in Numbers" (YouTube disabled), and the album Strength In Numbers the following week.
I thought since I have been addicted to music since I was a kid I would add a feature here that will allow me to reflect on the favourite music through out my life. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
DuranFan (we became online friends through Spymac years and years ago and she writes a nice blog called endearingly Ride The Hell Bus), she tagged me on Facebook to do this iPod Shuffle... Put your iPod on Shuffle Songs and see what it comes up with.
So this next list of 25 Songs is a totally random list of what my iPod played.
#1. "Confusion" by New Order. Of course, I have everything of theirs. Big surprise eh?
#2. "Making Love in the Rain" by Herb Alpert - oh wow great one! I haven't listen to that song in a loooooong time, so sultry and hot. YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THIS SONG. Damn. I have to play that more often. Lead vocal by Lisa Keith. Background vocals by Lisa Keith & Janet Jackson. Produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Here it is on YouTube for you to hear!
#3. "Keep On" by Robbie Williams. Again I LOVE Robbie, and have all his work... dingalinglingling from Rudebox 2006
#4. "2000 Miles" by Erasure. Yes, I have all their stuff too, gay pop was never better than the sound of Andy Bell. Shake your ass.
#5. "36D" by The Beautiful South is actually one of my favourite songs by this band. It is off 1992's 0898 Album, yes it's about breasts, and "Oh so what, so what, is that all that you got!"
#6. "Mean Mr. Mustard" by The Beatles. Not one of my favs.
#7. "Get Off Of My Cloud" by The Rolling Stones, gheesh this Shuffle has an agenda. I love The Stones.
#8. "How To Disappear Completely" by Radiohead off of Kid A. I haven't listened this album in a long time.
#9. "I Would Die 4 U" by Prince. Well see my note about Prince. I was a big fan in the Purple Rain days. Brilliant song.
#10. "Move On" by ABBA. Heck this Shuffle seems to be picking all my favorites... I wanted some random stuff. Oh well, this isn't a good ABBA track though. So yes, let's move on.
#11. "New Born" by Paul Oakenfold. I love dance music. It makes me long for the rave days.
#12. "I Miss You" by Melvin & The Blue Notes. Oh YAHHHHHH. Some more heart and SOUL blues. Again you need to hear Melvin & The Blue Notes so go to YouTube here.
#13. "Right On For The Darkness" by Curtis Mayfield. Oh YAHHHHHHHHH again another soul blues song, again people if you haven't heard this song, you are missing the real shit right here. DAMN I could listen to this over and over & over and over. Feel that funk and soul. Right on. Listen to it on YouTube.
#14. "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House. A brilliant band and voice. Wow, I loved them. Classic 80s.
#15. "Vicar in a TuTu" by The Smiths. Classic Smiths weirdness that I love so much. "Who comes sliding down the bannister?"
#16. "So Alive" by Love & Rockets. Well again, another 80s favourite band of mine.
#17. "The Way You Move" by Outkast. Yeah I love the bass and funk of Outkast, and this is a brilliant funky hip hop song. "Speacialy the big girl, Big girls need love too" it also feature the vocals of Sleepy Brown who is an amazing R&B Singer.
#18. "Add it Up" by The Violent Femmes. I really dug these dudes for a long time, saw them in concert, and it was a brilliant show.
#19. "Underneath it All" by No Doubt. I dig her.
#20. "Plan 9 (LP Mix)" by 808 state.
#21. "Where Do We Go From Here" by Jamiroquai because I love to dance.
#22. "How Do I Get You Alone" by Heart. Another classic 80s band.
#23. "Innermind" by Eon A a classic electronica song.
#24. "All Mine" by Portishead. Her voice is so unique. I love the music, so eclectic.
#25. "Take The Long Road and Walk It" by The Music. I love this song. A great band. If you love guitar rock you got to hear this by listening on YouTube. His voice reminds me of classic Roger Daltrey and The Who days.
Okay are you shocked by any of that? Anything on that list you never would have thought I would listen to?
Yes I adore him. I saw him in concert here in Vancouver like 10 years ago now. *Sigh* He is great. PG's whole family love him too, have all the concerts on DVD and watch him regularly. Such a true entertainer. :)
I can't shake this freaking sinus bit that is let over after the throat crap.
I am sneezing now, and feeling like a cold coming on. Oh joy.
In better news - It is birthday season.
On the 27th Trace Beagley had her birthday. Ben and Krista are now proud parents as they had a baby girl on Jan 30th (Thanks for the pictures). My beautiful cousin Shannabanana had her birthday this week. Candice and Brandy had their birthdays on the same day this week. Saturday is Jaspina's birthday, and Babs birthday among a few others. A new friend Debbie Wolanski from the RAPS cat shelter is celebrating her birthday Sunday. Later on Valentines day Melissa and her twin sis are having their birthday. A few days later it is my lovely friend Jem's birthday. Then it's my big brother's big 40th. Then it's Jolayne's birthday. After that it is my old friend Carrie's birthday. We recently reconnected on Facebook. Facebook, it has it's moments of highs and lows that is for sure. Finding and people like Jem, and now getting a chance to say hey to Carrie again... that's worth all the catty bull crap Facebook can bring.
Accentuate the positive I say.
Being that I am totally wonky headed still, I am just going to post some interesting thoughts.
“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”
“Only a life lived for others is worth living.” ~ Albert Einstein
“Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.”
“Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over.” ~ Gloria Naylor
“Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.”
“One measure of friendship consists not in the number of things friends can discuss, but in the number of things they need no longer mention.” ~ Clifton Fadiman
“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”
“True friends stab you in the front.” ~ Oscar Wilde
I love that last one. I stab people all the damn time. It's just my witchy nature. I am a cheery "fuck you" to your face and if you can't take my fuck yous - well then unfuck you. HAHA
Yah fuck is my favourite word on earth. Yes I am FUCKING FABULOUS.
You know maybe it is the fact that I am so self absorbed in doing my own things, that I can't even begin to even feel the waves of the blog world around me. I read a few blogs daily. A few other blogs every couple of days, others once a week. I use my RSS to track updates, so if yours is private and not in that RSS feed catcher, I will totally forget to go check. I hardly use Twitter, as I noted on it, if you really want to contact me, do it here in the comments or by email. If you can't find my email, you aren't very web savvy.
Not so long ago on another blogger's comments I wrote the following:
I have done a delicate (and not so delicate sometimes) dance around that "social blogger scene". I have no interest in selling myself.
That is how I see them, compared to me. I am not selling myself. I see no need to "network" and "market" myself to anyone. When I came online and started writing a diary on my web site (in 1997!) and meeting people in chats and forums, it was so friendly and social.
There was no BUSINESS in it. I REALLY MISS THAT aspect, since it turned into a business it is hard to know who you can really believe is "real".
Sigh.
I really feel that way. For instance, Trace Beagley and I met in 1997ish time frame online. Life was good, we were real, and it was easy. Now these days, you have so many places you are supposed to be online, and if you don't do such-n-such you must be snubbing people you don't even really know. It really seems so high school and petty.
It is no different to me, in appearance, as any other social scene.
I have always said the number one rule in life is that people talk. That fact has never escaped my mind. A big part of that, truth is boring, gossip is gold. People love to talk about other people. If they are not first talking about them themselves. This is life. I suffer in the torment of it too, who is real, and who is not.
More importantly am I real? That is my primary struggle. That fine fucking line of - Shall I bite my tongue or let it wag?
You know, a certain group of local bloggers are all somehow connected to an individual I will never trust again, ever. Ergo, I will never trust them. Sad but let me explain it like this. To me this individual is like this huge mountain of stinky shit. They are the flies on the mountain of shit. Attracted to the shit like, well, like flies to shit. Social climbers often don't give a damn about who they step on. Flies crawl over other flies on that mountain of shit always in search of the best piece of crap. In the end though, it is all just flies on a mountain of shit though, isn't it.
In life, I have no time to swat shit loving flies. Be it in the blogging world, music world, social world, work world... I am a very tolerant person, but even I have my limits. There are some people I would like to meet, that seem interesting as people, and given opportunity to do so, outside those "blogger" scenes, I would risk meeting to see if they are for real.
But in the end I am a busy lady and my life in no way revolves around the blog world. Oh I write here in my blog, for me, and somewhat to amuse you the reader, but I have bigger priorities than this blog world.
Like dinners with friends. Looking after abandoned cats. Writing. Painting. Family.
That picture made me giggle, thanks for sharing it. It cheered me up, I have been feeling sick with bad sinus and a sore throat for over a week now, just like you so thanks for the smile on a frosty Sunday morning!
I see you signed off with "Self love" too, isn't that the key to a happy life in all areas?
Thought this was an interesting image so I nicked it from TK's blog.
I am a size 8, last I checked. That is just my body shape. Sometimes I am even smaller. It isn't my ideal, it is just me. All of those women seem perfect to me. Why? They are smiling and they look healthy. That's all that matter, your own mental and physical satisfaction.
Life’s funny like that from The Gloss Magazine is a great little summary of the types of women out there. I think I am a nice amalgamation of them all. I think I am naturally a massive flirt, I am also very witty, and for most of my life have preferred the company of males friends over female friends.
According to my favourite Male amusement site, AskMen.com, Good Types of Women, break down the good types men should be looking for.
I don't think the # 1 Miss Sweet - exist in the city. But hey I am actually really nice. #2 Miss Equality believes in a totally 50/50 partnership. That's me. However all too often I don't find the man willing to pay his 50 and end up being Miss Mommy Replacement. Tsk Tsk. #3 Miss Sexual loves men and loves sex, she's not selling it, and she's not using it as a tool to manipulate men. That's me too. #4 Miss Best Friend. Yup you guessed it, me too. #5 Miss Straightforward plays no games, there is no expecting men to be mind readers. Heck yah I have asked men out. Why not. #6 Miss Independent, has a life of her own, and right from the article are my own recently posted sentiment: She's the type who wants a man in her life, but doesn't need a man in her life. #7 Miss Loyal is me all the way. #8 Miss No Pressure... well sure I have to know the general heading of the relationship, I don't want to waste time, but I certainly won't insist on a marriage proposal after 6 months, hell even 2 years, just commitment and clear direction and intention. Remember #5, straightforward, cards on the table, no bullshit, means no pressure to me. I think am also Miss Secure, Miss Personality, and Miss Low Maintenance. All of which makes me Miss Right For You.
I am one helluva catch. BUt I still reiterate the line "wants a man in her life, but doesn't need a man in her life".
Sadly I think the truth is, a lot of guys choose women who are "arm candy" -- good-looking trophy girlfriends who bolster their status among other men or counteract their own insecurities. Which means, really it isn't us, so much as it is their mindless choices. Mature men know what they want and are capable of admitting it.
My Daily Tarot Card today:
The Queen of Swords card suggests that my power today lies in advocation. I have been there, done that and can be trusted to judge, perceive or tell it like it is. I own my authority and honor my authentic nature and wisdom but use my sharp wit responsibly and accept that not everyone will "warm up to me." I have a sleek, keen but detached sense for quality, classic style and truth and my reputation for communicating or protecting justice, the greater good or serving as a pioneer is well-deserved. I am empowered to endure by obligation to my code and my virtue is order.
As I said, as long as you are healthy mentally with who you are, and happy physically with who you are, the "size" of you isn't important at all.
I think you are amazing Holly, and everything you do is fun and alive. I think it sucks that the world of fashion and porn have created this false idea of what is ideal in "size".
All this talk on the radio this morning about Jessica Simpson. Gheesh. You know I don't normally hear about this stuff unless I listen to the radio, gossip is the back bone of that radio station's morning show.
Sure Jessica Simpson has put on the pounds but she looks normal to me. She clearly was watching what she ate before and working out and younger... now she looks like a healthy chick to me.
Attacking celebs for being human is so human though.
I am going to tell you a personal tale of a catty girl, and show you all just a tad of how catty I can be if I really want to be.
CATTY BS:
Awhile back in the Fall, this woman who is a five years younger than me, and her man who is a few years younger than her, were going on about Muffin Top to each other, and giggling.
Well, the place was empty, and I was the only one sitting with her/them, or around her/them, so I played dumb to the meaning of the term, and asked what they were giggling over. They cooed at one another that, oh it was just a silly thing between them.
Catty woman I tell ya.
I was offended because I had always been nice to this woman, complimented her, sincerely, she is pretty (even if her personality isn't.)
Hell I was even nice to the bald man she was with, who had - prior to meeting her - repeatedly attempted to get me (and any breathing-walking woman) to go out with him - but this latest petty bullshit from them was the last of my nicety. I play by the 3 strikes rule. They are out.
[Weebles TV Commercial from 1970s]
I really felt like saying, "I'll be Muffin Top, if you are the Weeble Wobble Girl MmmmmmmmmKay? Because Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down."
But I didn't. I held it in. Because I don't like to be catty.
How could this heavy girl, I wouldn't use the word fat at all (seriously I wouldn't) but... she could stop eating those cupcakes... point is how could she insult my body?
I know, it's a woman thing.
Some women are so insecure that they trash on every woman around them, for no reason.
Now maybe she thinks she has a reason, given as I said, that man she is with wanted to hump me - to put it bluntly. I don't feel special about that because I could provide a long list of women he was attempting to hump right up to the point of landing her. I wasn't special or anything, and his long wanted-to-hump list is the reason this woman has banned him from Facebook, I am sure.
In the words of Chris Rock:
Guys actually think that there are other fish in the sea, and if a guy introduces his boy to his new girlfriend, and when they walk away, his boy goes, "Oh man, she's nice, I gotta get me a girl like that."
If a woman introduces her new man to her girlfriend, and they walk away, her girlfriend goes, "I gotta get him, and I will slit that bitch's throat to do it." Every girl in here got a girlfriend they don't trust around their man.
Thing is I am not like that, however women always assume women are all like this, specially women they perceive as threats (anyone they see as better than them for whatever reason, bigger tits, nicer smile, skinny body, long legs, whatever the reason...)
Okay, sure I can be as catty as the best of them... can is the highlighted word here, can. Sure in this post, on this blog, right here, right now, I didn't have to mention the cupcakes. I didn't have to post that Weeble comment. Or mention him being not even 30 and totally follicle-ly-challenged. Fact is, I NEVER was or ever would have considered him. I was always pleasant to them both, flirty in my own NORMAL fashion, and nice beyond nice, because I am actually a very wonderfully diplomatic and nice person. I just want everyone to get along, man. I just want everyone to have a good time.
However on a recent run-in with this couple, the catty in her emerged for the 2nd time. In her fake niceness, she explained how her man wanted to get a career, and that was why he was giving up music. I don't buy it but I am not actually looking to buy it so frankly she can sell her story however it suits them.
So I politely asked if he still worked at the coffee shop, serving coffee. She said yes but he was looking for something else, a "career" - although "something" was not defined. She then went on to discuss how much they wanted kids and they both needed to get a career and save money. I asked if they were still living with her mom, but was very positive that yes, people their age should be getting on a career path specially if they wanted the married life with kids, and to be on their own.
She then snidely asked me if I didanything other than blog.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA I laughed inside.
I explained yes, I am an office manager for a company in Richmond, and at one time was on my way to being a CGA, and once owned a company and was self-employed... was even almost a mortgage broker once. I've been running offices since I was 22.
She looked at me, and asked if we were hiring. I said no. Then I said, I am sorry, I never asked before what she does for a living, remember she is only 5 years younger than me. She chirps (literally) that she works at the same coffee shop as the 27 year old bald man.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA I laughed inside and thought, good luck.
I don't think I had anything else to say to her at that point. Superficial pleasantries sure, but what kind of real conversation is there, unless she wanted to talk about herself some more and how much they were in love and wanted babies.
You see, I can admit I am good at being catty. I thought all those things and never once said a thing nasty to her, even if I did put her in her place about her perception of me regarding the job situation. Do I do anything other than blog? HAHAHA That still has me laughing.
Why am I saying anything now? Oh the story I could tell about the bullshit that is strike 3 for them, but won't but believe me I love my hobby and - I blog baby, I blog. Read that. But that is another topic.
If she reads this, she'll know who she is, and frankly I don't give a damn, I was nice, they were not. I have no tolerance for ignorance or arrogance. The two combined, oh lordie no tolerance at all.
I can see through people and see their weaknesses. Male or female. I could mentally damage the best of the catty women out there, if there was a catty bitch contest, I could win.
I hate that I have those skills, but they were merely achieved due to SELF DEFENSE.
On an episode rerun of Seinfeld last night, Elaine made some comment about girls in high school just tease one another until they have an eating disorder. Damn if that wasn't the truth.
[Me in 1990 - I was 17 - my current height and lord knows if I was 110 pounds]
You see, aside from being mentally smarter than most folks (which brought me teasing until the sexual ages) I was always thin. Tall and thin. And even though I never thought I was pretty, a lot of men and women did and still do.
When I gained weight as I aged and gained some fabulous curves, the CLAWS came out even more. At first I was too thin and picked on for that, then I gained some weight and suddenly I was fat. Me! Fat! Lord ladies if I am fat gawd help the world.
But people like that are generally shallow and insecure and will pick on those they fear. I try not to be catty unless it is ultimately called for. I now take insults against me or my appearance as actual compliments. Truly it is their fear and their insecurity about their own self, that cause them to fear me, and hate me for being that which they believe they want to be.
But in all honesty, you wouldn't want to be me.
Be you. All that catty bull crap said...
[Me @ Halloween 1998 - Age 25 - note the weights on the floor]
I WANT FITNESS:
My previous post could be ascertained to be petty and shallow and make me seem obsessed and insecure about my weight. Sure you can take it that way if you want.
Truth is, I am not happy about the flab I have put on my body, not for mere outward appearances but more for the health of it. Let me explain.
In April 2006 when I left K, and finally got control back of my life after those nearly 7 years of NO-control over my life...
I started a regular exercise regime and I was feeling healthy and good (again). I weighed around 132-135 range, but mainly what I liked was that I was fit. I have always attempted to remain active and fit. So in 2006 I rode my bike, I swam, I went on long walks...
Partying and drinking too much this last year or two with PG have really been downhill for my body. No biking, no nothing for my body. Don't get me wrong I am NOT at all blaming PG, I made the choice to drink and not look after my body, it was fun times and all, but not for my body... (add working full-time and stress etc...)
Also when I left K in 2006, I had the blessed freedom of having no-job and only time to mentally heal from those 7 years, and I find focusing on physical health really helps in the mental health department.
While swimming endless laps in my family pool, it was easy to clear my head and think straight. To process those last 7 years of my life and why I did what I did and what to do to get my life back on track.
Riding a bike around the lovely neighbourhood chasing my niece at high speed also was a great mental health check. I read back to the posts in the blog, often times I have considered removing them, like I removed the past posts (everything up to) April 2006, but the ability to reflect back on the healing process of 2006 is really a good thing.
I really believe the two go hand in hand. Positive mind, positive body.
So now here in 2009 -
I need my health back, and even though mentally I feel pretty healthy, I know working on my body health will just give me that boost.
[2006 in the family pool]
Swimming has always been my easiest form of exercise. Naturally because my ankle is well, to put it bluntly and to use my favorite word (according to polls) - my ankle is fucked.
For those unaware, at age 19 I died in/and survived a car accident that left me with among so many other reminders, two titanium screws in my left ankle, in the Subtalar Joint. I have written about it a lot, so if you are curious you should check back.
Given that my ankle swells with too much use, which makes it useless, low impact exercises are best, thus weight training, bike riding, and swimming. Which I don't mind, I've always been a water baby. When I was married to DD (age 22-24) we went SCUBA diving I love water that much. I swear if I ever can, my next owned home will have an indoor pool, just so I can swim every day.
So, yes, it isn't all about just how much I weigh. People can starve themselves and be thin and think that is healthy, but it isn't. I want to be fit.
I did some more reading on health, when I have time to I will share some of it with you. This Strep Throat sickness really set me back. Tonight was to be the first night I began my workout nights (I had my bathing suit and towel all ready even). I am however still too tired and not 100% well yet. Bed early and more rest and try to eat, still not feeling hungry, those are the plans for tonight instead. Next week I'll begin the work outs.
Odd thing about Strep Throat is not being hungry at all. I had to force myself to eat a little something. I had some Haagen-Dazs. It was easy to swallow.
Saturday night I had a lovely meal at Astra's house, she cooked a great veggie chilli. (Thank you again Astra it was a lovely evening.) I left her place just after 11 and on the way home noted my throat felt a little scratchy. That's when I gave into my ice cream craving. Given that dairy is something I cut out of my diet, as it normally makes my belly wonky, when I give in to my cravings there has to be a good reason.
By the time I got home I noticed my left lymph node was a little swollen. I had felt a little warm Friday night at bed time, but by the time I crawled in bed Saturday night, I was roasting. And suffering from chills. Sunday morning was hell. I couldn't swallow, my lymph nodes were huge and my fever was 38.2 when I checked. Oh joy.
I pretty much slept Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Today when I woke up at 2 ish in a daze, I checked my temperature with my handy Life digital thermometer (best buy ever) and it said I was only 37.0 which is nearly normal. Normal is average of 36.9 C and people fluctuate so I think the fever broke. My throat is still damn sore, and my neck is still swollen massively but hopefully my body has killed the germs. KILL BODY, KILL THOSE GERMS, YOU CAN DO IT.
Okay I get a little silly when I am delirious from sickness.
I still don't feel hungry though. I had a bit of scrambled eggs (thanks to PG cooking us breakfast) on Sunday (he spent the nights all weekend). On Monday night (since I was supposed to do the major shopping run Sunday my grocery options in the house are slim) I ordered a pizza. Answered the door all sick and in my housecoat. HAHA What a sight. Here's your tip, hope I don't get you sick pizza boy. I had two slices.
I had a slice of cold pizza just now. Strep throat is a great weight loss program. HAHA
I stood on the scale. My fancy fat weigher tells me: Body Fat Weight & BF % & Body Water Weight % & Bone Mass %
Bear helped (see his paw and head in the picture - that cat follows me everywhere I tell ya). I take a picture of the results, as a way of reminding myself of the progress.
I was curious what percentage of your normal weight should be body water. When I weighed myself today it said 56.5% of my weight was Body Water. According to Wiki's page "The human body is about 60% water in adult males and 55% in adult females." So I guess that is normal. Lord knows I've drank a lot of fluids in the last days.
PG gave me this Fitness thingy about how to get 6 Pack Abs (nice hint there), it noted "women need to get below 16-19% body fat to really bring out their abs." So I guess my 22.5% body fat isn't going to cut it. HAHA Well it is average. Although I am shocked that that means 31.8 of my 141.5 pounds is fat alone.
If the average I would need to have abs is 16-19% body fat, that still seems like a lot of weight in fat. In any case, The weight is slowly coming off, without much work on my part other than eating well. Next phase is exercising.
Now that this sickness crap hopefully is behind me, I can really start to plan out the work out nights of my life. I kind of hope my appetite doesn't come back. More will-power to stick to healthy eating. Sick days don't count, hell I drank a ton of orange juice, that has to count as good, even if I ate some pizza and ice cream.
You are a picture of health and you have strep throat. I would hate to get on that scale... It's not like I am misshapen I just have a feeling my numbers would be all wrong. :)
I am pretty sure I have strep throat. I can not swallow without severe pain, my glands in my neck are so swollen out that you can see them popping out. I have been running a fever, the highest I registered it at was 38.2 although at times I am sure it rose higher.
I have laid in bed for the last 2 days drinking juice and trying to not ache, and sleeping a lot. Oh joy for me. I hope it will pass in the few days. Someone suggested I get antibiotics but I have no energy to drag myself to the walk-in clinic. In adults unless the infection is severe you should be able to get over it without drugging yourself. I think we use prescriptions too much in society and unless I really have to, I rarely bother with drugging myself.
And no, I didn't get sick because of the cats. Gheesh.
Now on to more interesting things. I took some more pictures at the cat shelter, including this lovely bunny. Yes there is a cage with bunnies. I truly do love the opportunity to volunteer at the RAPS cat sanctuary. I was supposed to fill in tonight for someone on holiday but I am way too sick. I feel awful that I can't make it. But what can I do, I am truly ill, and just getting up to check my email and post these photos has worn me out. I am heading back to bed now. So enjoy these photos.
Long-term foster homes needed for senior cats:
RAPS has many beautiful, loving older cats that need long-term foster care. Many of these animals simply need some tender care, and RAPS will pay for their veterinarian costs. If you can provide a safe, warm and loving home for a senior cat, please contact RAPS for more information.
As well they need more volunteers, so if you would like to help out please contact them.
Aaaaawwwwww. Wish I lived within walking distance of our animal shelter or the SPCA. I'd be there everyday, volunteering to help clean out cages, hand feed patients, etc. and distribute cuddles as required.
♥ The Love Blog by Vancouver Blogger Barbara Doduk ♥
A personal view of the world from a hopeful human being longing for a world of love, for an earth called Unity. Barbara Doduk was born in and resides in Vancouver British Columbia Canada and writes about her life, her city and her views on the world.
HOMETOWN: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
LIVING IN:
White Rock, BC
ABOUT ME: Barbara Doduk has had a web site since 1997, which included a journal. She started a web site to promote her creative writing, poetry and photography interests. Over the last 10 years the www has evolved and so has web journalling or as it is now known "blogging".
THE LOVE BLOG is her main personal journal.
WIREDSECRET is her poetry weblog.
THE UNITY PROJECT is her world wide photograph collection for unity.
After the last tree has been cut down,
after the last river has been poisoned,
after the last fish has been caught,
then will you find that money cannot be eaten.
♥THE LOVE BLOG♥ presents: ♥THE SPREADER OF LOVE♥ ♥AWARD♥
All I ask in return for presenting this award to anyone blogging out there, is that you include the following information in the blog post along with the image below:
This blog has been awarded The Spreader of Love Award created by The Love Blog, for an outstanding demonstration of blogging love.
Aaawwww... Love and cuddles to them all.