Gone Too Long!

I haven't posted here in..wow, over a year. That's crazy!

Between work majorly kicking my butt for awhile, health issues and so much family stuff I haven't had a lot of energy. Especially energy to share myself.

It was a year ago May that my cousin Jimmy died and almost 6 months since my Aunt Michelle died. It's still surreal and unreal. But our family is plodding along the best we can. I think never having real 'loss' tragedies happen to us made us feel immune to the possibility so to have two in under 10 months was quite overwhelming.

I was still struggling along with a newish job, the abrupt move, the crazy non-stop health issues. Thanks, stress! Things finally seem to be slowing down a bit. The past two month struggle with the 'ms' issues was very scary but now I have no glaring symptoms of it so i'm enjoying my relatively good health and not dwelling on the possibility of a scary diagnosis. It's nice that the neurologist is on vacation, it gives me time not to think of it at all.

My sister is in town from Toronto on business but she's fortunate that they allow her to fly early so she can spend the weekend hanging with the family so today we're having the "Danielle's Home During The Summer Family BBQ". Yay! I'm bringing berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) and making a fruit dip. That's my contribution. Healthy and tasty.

Other than that, no plans on the horizon. Naps, coffee, good food eating and gearing up for my 4 day long weekend up to the the Caribou Garlic Festival! Ha! I've never been but my best friend is helping in a booth and I need to get out of this city for awhile and see my people and breathe fresh air and sit around and stare at trees.

Yes indeed.

I think i'll make a note to remind myself to post here more often.

It's only fair.

Happy Summer, ever'body!

I was tagged, wtf?

List eight random facts about yourself


I never get tagged for anything, I’m equal parts stoked and weirded out. Thanks, Blue eyes!


1. I lost my Mom when I was 11. I can’t tell you how much this has sculpted me into the person I am today. My Mom was only 28 when she died of cervical cancer. A disease that now has an almost 85% cure rate. How shitty is that? My Dad remarried and I can’t help but wonder how my life would be if he never had the chance to meet my now Mom. We wouldn’t have my sisters or my nephew or our huge family. Circle of life and all that.


2 . I’ve been best friends with Janet since we were 14. We talk now just as much as then. Hard to believe, but very true. Now when we list off who we are it falls under “extended family”. I’m also the legal guardian to her 3 children. What an honor.

3. I have diabetes. Type 2. I was diagnosed in Oct 2006. I wish we could’ve figured out what was wrong before it turned into a full blown chronic condition. It sucks. But I’m doing my best to manage it. Splenda, anyone?


4. I fall in love easily. It’s a curse. No, really. It is. I had such a tumultuous time in my teens that I didn’t have the chance to experience the basics of forming relationships with people. I ran from anything remotely involving me and someone else. I could barely handle getting up every day. Now I’m emotionally retarded when it comes to love.

5. I spend way, way, way too much time alone. But I like it. I trust me. I like my solitude. It’s apparently not very healthy, but seriously what is. I putter. I nap. I shop. I watch movies. I’m good company.


6. I don’t have a love of shoes like most women. I have a love of magazines. And jeans. I’m not a collector. There are very few things I NEED to have. Scorsese movies, yes. Wilco cd’s, yes. Tracy Chapman cd’s, yes. I’m pretty easy to please.

7. I’m a water baby. I love everything about it. The beach, lakes.
If I was to ever marry it would be at the beach. When I did I want my ashes to be scattered in the ocean. I trained to get my life guard certificate when I was 11. I was the youngest kid in the class. Mouth to mouth on an adult male when you’re 11 is frightening.

8. Some of my most important relationships have been formed with friends I’ve met online. Some of the most complicated yet amazing relationships. Some great friendships. Some people that have made a difference in my life in ways they’ll never know.

I like pictures.

And sun.

And coffee.



word.

Hey! Hey! Look what I got!

This is my new baby.

I've never owned NEW. Like brand new. Ever. It's scary and exciting.


I *heart* her. Haha. What a big, materialistic chick I am. It sure feels good though.


Now I have no excuse not to drive down to San Fran and visit my cyber BFF Sam the Hottie.
We can oogle all the hot mens. Sam's not down with vajayjay so we can share! Right?

Damn, I need SOME!

I rock the Whitesnake look

I already fell off the wagon with yesterday's program. Ugh.


I didn't go CRAZY, but still. This is harder than I ever thought it would be. And i'm so totally hard on myself to begin with.


I guess I just need to do the best I can.


Have I ever mentioned how thankful I am for

My Mom who loves me the best she knows how
The great people I work with (truly NICE people)
the neighborhood I work in-it's beautiful, hip and fun
comfy new jean capris
weekends (god, I sound like some cheezy Oprah quote)
m.u.s.i.c. and working with it, in it, around it


I'm not sure if it's just me or what but birds have seriously been factoring into my life lately. They're like flying torpedo's these days. Crazy spring energy. I notice them in weird places too. Hey look, there's a bird right on top of that street sign. Hey, that bird it doing a dance on the hood of that car. Hey look, that bird is flying right at us! I think it's because i'm out and about more. When I drive I pay attention to the road, not silly birds. They're out there though..have a look. Flying rats!


I have a LOT of freakin' hair, man

Stupid diabetes

Ok. I'm getting back on track.

I've been remiss in my diabetes care lately and I have to deal with it. My blood sugars have been high (partially due to stress and being sick) , i'm an emotional eater so this whole devastating time for my family has some how allowed me to not be as aware. Don't get me wrong, there hasn't been any fast food or copious amounts of sugar laden snacks. I've skipped a lot of meals though which means i've skipped a lot of medication. The medication keeps my sugars lower. Blah blah.

I've been exhausted when I get home so i'm not meal planning.

Last night I was so upset with a sugar reading that I forced myself to go shopping where I bought fresh vegetables, lean meats, nuts, good dressings, whole wheat crackers etc. I made a great dinner. A mixed green salad that had little pieces of stir fried chicken breast, cucumber, snow peas, organic cheese and it was topped with a low calorie Greek dressing. You CAN eat healthy and still have flavor. It just takes time. I have to think about meals. I'm going to have to sit down on the weekends and plan my next week's meals. I'm going to eat breakfast again, not buy it somewhere near the office. I found a really great multi grain instant hot cereal that has 5grams of fibre per serving so that should really help me during the day. Crackers and no sugar cookies at work. No more Starbucks pastry (even though I get the low fat ones-they're crammed with sugar)

So, that's where i'm at. And getting out and walking more. Finally the weather is allowing it.

It's cheesy and cliche, but we only have this one life and i've decided, after all these years of struggle, to finally live it



My Mom bought me the prettiest necklace when she was on her Panama Cruise. I'm not sure where it's from though..but the stones are these gorgeous semi-precious somewhat opaque type crystal. The picture doesn't do it justice but you'll get the idea. And yes, that's my pale chest. Haha.

Five Things to Do in Your City

I stole this from the blue-eyed devil himself, God of Biscuits.



1. Drive, walk, bike, rollerblade through Stanley Park. (or park somewhere quiet and read for awhile, like I do)

2. Visit Commercial drive. Stop for cookies at Fratelli's and magazines at Magpie's.

3. Wreck Beach (it's where the nudies hang out in the summer)

4. Nat Bailey Stadium to see the C's play.

5. Granville Island-pick up great food for dinner, visit galleries, feed the seagulls.

My favorite picture.


EVER. Bitches.