Life Lessons...

I believe that each and every single day there will be something new that we can learn....moments that we can pull some hint of wisdom out of. That is, as long as we are paying attention to our moments.


Up until about my 25th year, I was a pushover. (I pretty much still am, yet I am able to at least question that which I am being pushed towards and even at times NOT do what someone is expecting me to do for them even though I am not into it...get it? ha ha ha! Wordy.) In calling myself a pushover, I am merely stating that I have a REAL hard time saying no. I like to make people happy...and if that requires me to do something I have no desire to...I often have been seen doing it, for someone else of course. hee hee. When I was 25, I made a huge, life altering decision...I left my husband. Our relationship was incredibly tumultuous...and I just could no longer be the piñata that he had grown to love to beat down. So, West I went. That was one of the very first times I decided to make my own decision...to do what I felt was best for me at the time. I did it sheepishly though, I left my home town without word to any of my family. I filled up my car and the U-Haul roof rack and to BC I drove. My reasons for keeping it secret (I did tell my work of course...I had to quit) were so that I would not have to listen to some telling me to stay and work it out. For, in my mind I had done everything that I could think of to make my marriage a happy one, to be the best housewife I could be, loving, nurturing, a great cook, look sexy and most of all tried so hard to stop the abuse. (to the women out there in an abusive relationship....he will NOT stop hurting you...you NEED to walk away, no matter what.) Anyhow, I left. I felt amazing. I felt strong. I felt independant...I felt powerful. THAT gave me fervour to keep telling it like it is.


I fully believe in making your feelings known if someone has hurt you, in any way, emotionally, physically, whatever...I think it is up to you to let that person in on your feelings. This is what I have been doing since that fateful morning I left Winnipeg behind...in a flurry of ice and snow and waaaaaaaaay too cold winds. (-27 that morning) So, it should all be good...right? No. For I surely have made some blunders in my "Hurt Feelings Proclamations". The real lesson there, that I have finally opened my eyes up and took notice of, was that I should NEVER try to explain my feelings via email. NEVER!!! (always take the time to go and see the person face to face.) The only reason I ever decided to write someone in one of these situations is because I would be too embarrassed to actually say it for real to that person...fear of them being angry with me for being hurt. Oh my. So, I felt it easier to allow my feelings to flow when I could hide behind my computer. Easier maybe for me...but those words to the one reading it can be confusing. There is emotion behind the words, but that emotion gets lost and warped through black & white letters. It will always come out wrong. Therefore causing a whole new ball of gross stinky ear wax that you were trying to avoid in the first place. All you can do after that is apologize. And NEVER do that again. Some people will forgive and forget...that is how we should all be. We all make mistakes...apologize for them. Humble yourself and let others know that you do in fact feel bad for what you said or did. Now, it is off of your conscious....you did right in the end. If you are not forgiven...that is not your baggage to carry. Let it go and keep on keeping on. Life is too short to carry grudges and hold resentment towards anybody. Who cares that Stephen Harper is a terrible Prime Minister...he will not always run our country...let it go. (just a little example...there is alot of boiling blood over him...and what does that help? We just got to be strong and united and know that Canada is in fact an awesome country and we will get back on track again one day...with a new Prime Minister.) ;o) I know...sooooo off topic! hee hee.


So that is my life lesson of today. Share your feelings face to face with people. Apologize when you have hurt someone, forgive when someone asks. Then you should have no negative neurons bouncing around that head of yours...those are bad ones...get rid of them. Clear your mind and life will be fine. On to next lesson.... ;o)


Ay yi yi...I've got to catch up on my 12:12 photos. Life has been EXTREMELY busy for me these past few weeks. I seem to never have much time to just be at home chillin'. But it is all good...I am involved in the Musical "The Cult of Brother XII" that will be playing this August in the Dodd Narrows room of the Nanaimo Conference Centre on Commercial Street. (tickets available at the Port Theatre Box Office or at Fringetastic ...only $10!!!) I have been enjoying the process immensely...working with a stellar cast and a director that is smart, funny, ummmmm loud and VERY talented! ;o) Can't wait for it to be on stage!


Anyhoo...12:12's....

Saturday July 7 12:12 pm Sitting on the "upper deck" chatting with JoJo Darling about picking me up for rehearsal for the musical. She plays Freddy, the lesbian reporter. (it is set in 1929...she is very progressive for her time)

Sunday July 8 12:12 pm...this is bad. I have NO clue where I was...what I was doing...how I was feeling...whom I was with. I imagine, because there is no photo evidence, that I was daydreaming in my watery pit...my womb of happiness...my safety zone...I must have been immersed in my tub.These busy days make me often dream of just relaxing in the warm and healing waters of my soaker tub...so yeah, that is exactly where I was!! ;op

Monday July 9 12:12 pm Watering all of my flowers and veggies. I love the HOT PINK Cosmos. So pretty! They LOVE the brightness of the sunshine...me too! (it was my Niece Elona's 9th birthday too...Champagne birthday...yay!! Love you Elona!)

Tuesday July 10 12:12 pm This pic makes me laugh actually...and it's not just cause of my silly 'Cartman' smile. I am standing on the deck of our last rental. We used the empty house for some rehearsals...like this day. The house is for sale right now...nice sunny spot if you want to live on a beautiful island! ;o)

Wednesday July 11 12:12 pm Hee hee. I like this photo...Antony was on the phone and I was taking photos. He thinks I am pretty silly...well, I am! I enjoy the time I spend with Antony each week. I help him with some "office" type work and I get to hear stories from the way way olden days forward and just get to hang with an incredibly sweet and funny man. Antony is 92 years old and still writing shows that he can perform in front of audiences all over. You rock Antony! ;o)

Thursday July 12 12:12 pm What else would we might be doing at this time...dog walkies!! If it weren't for Maggie & Larry right now, I might never get to the beach...daily. :o) I need to get them exercise, the beach is the best for that. I get to beach comb for glass and china and other treasures...they get to play. Perfect!

Friday July 13 12:12 pm Brother XII rehearsal at The Surf. ;o) This is my mask for the "Media Scrum" scene. We play a group of news hounds trying to get the scoop from Doris Abercrombie, Senior Journalist at the Gulf Islands Gazette! ;o)

Saturday July 14 12:12 pm Yep, you guessed it...Brother XII again. There needs to be a lot of rehearsing...we got to make this awesome...and it is. The nice thing about our rehearsal space is that we are across from the ocean side...white waves slapping the shore...sea lions arfing in the background. Rehearsing on a sunny afternoon ain't too shabby I say...when you still have the beach in your sights! ;o)

Sunday July 15 12:12 pm Pole painting!!! The community voted...more poles got painted. Yay! Four poles going up the hill from the ferry have now been beautified by four talented and sweet artists. Tina Lynch, Derrill Shuttleworth, Melinda Wilde and Clint McCartney. This is Clint doing the background colours of his awesome pole...all four poles turned out absolutely brilliant. What a wonderful AND colourful island we live on.

Here is Clint and his finished pole. Very cool pop art pole! After he finally got the sun and it's beams right in white...I painted it in yellow! My arm is STILL sore from doing it...but it was fun and exciting to be a part of this community project. Yay Gabriola!! ;o)

Monday July 16 12:12 pm Tinson Point time...it's Larry's favourite beach to go to. He has an affection for the clam shell...they may be empty, but he is enamoured by them...they must still have some "presence" to them. Larry digs a moat around them...it is hilarious to watch. We are thinking maybe the barnacles that live on the shell are speaking to him...taunting him...watch it. ;o)

Tuesday July 17 12:12 pm He's glowing! ;o) I actually think that he is...on the inside and it is coming through. We spent some time responding to emails regarding his show "One Man in His Time" that he recently wrote and perfected on stage for an intimate audience...no more than 250. It is his story of his time in the "Desert War" of WWII between 1940-1943. This was in Egypt and Libya...a lot happened there during the war...I did not know that before seeing Antony's show. Tears, laughter and pure enjoyment I got out of it. If you keep an eye on this page...performance dates and places will be shown.

Wednesday July 18 12:12 pm Loading the kids in the truck and heading to le beach! Got our water and treats and bright orange floaty ball. Sorry Maggie....we forgot your umbrella. ;o(

Thursday July 19 12:12 pm Ahhhhh. What a lovely scene this is. Beauty day. Sunny, hot, blue skies and fluffy clouds. I would have loved to have stayed for hours...we only got one. Life is busy...but you still got to enjoy the moments where you can in fact breathe. ;o)

Today...it is cloudy. I was woken by the gentle sound of rain...then immediately hopped out of bed to run downstairs and check the deck for things need not getting wet. Then running to the truck to close the windows...seats got a wee bit wet. The nice thing about it...my plants got watered, the trees and grass and animals got watered, people's cisterns got fed...and now it is not raining. Maybe the sun will come out. The dogs and I are definitely ready to go to the beach again. ;o)

The rollercoaster of life...

The last few days I have been feeling completely deflated...stripped of all that brings a smile to my heart...the pain has been intense! (to say the least) I admit, sheepishly, that I have been feeling incredibly overwhelmed with feelings of self pity...having those "why do I HAVE to deal with this" moments. I have been dealing with some increase of muscle tension in my upper arm/shoulder...contributed by tossing the ball for Larry. This makes me feel over-the-top depressed. The joy that I get out of the act of throwing the ball for Larry, watching his tail bounce up and down, wag side to side as he leaps and strides and bites for that bright orange ball...oh my...pure and true love and peace. I came to the realization once before...but re-learned the lesson this morning as the muscle in the back of my arm felt like it split when I threw the ball. Ouch. No more fun...again.


That feeling of ineptness, inability, worthlessness and just what the heck am I even around for, waste of air. You know...that "Oh, woe is poor poor me." Suck it up. AGAIN! I fully was feeling the need to write about my sorrow this morning as I got out of bed. I was in pain, feeling frustrated about it and needing to vent. My day got away with me...emails, breakfast, packaging some important mail and dog walking before rehearsal (for the Brother XII musical at Nanaimo Fringe Festival this August). The beach was awesome...the day was full of sunshine and little cloud...the waves were gentle and tide was going out. I had to rush off...I asked Clint to meet me at the post office later on to go back. Clint arrived...dogs in back, swimming suits in bag, freshly grilled chicken wings in Tupperware, one stop for a few cold brews and back to the beach we went. I swam! First time this year...Oh! What a feeling! I love it. I feel so happy and renewed and excited for the summer that is now beginning. Oh bliss!!! ;o) Clint and I walked into the deep waters...i swam out and slowly paddled my way back in. It was glorious. Pain schmain...life is always so beautiful!!!

(Yet...the pain is there...I have a whack of pics to download for the past week and so of 12:12's. Ack! Here they are....nothing special....just the image of the moment. ;op)

Friday June 22 12:12 pm  ... (what else is new?)

Well...Saturday June 23 @ 12:12 pm ... I was at the beach...sans camera. Spending time with Clint, walking les chiens pre-rehearsal. My bag with camera in it was left at home...oops!

Sunday June 24 12:12 pm ... At G & Trevor's home for the "Home and Garden Tour." This pic went sideways...but this is merely 1/1000 of their beautiful landscaping surrounding their beautifully designed and built home. For sale now!!

Monday June 25 12:12 pm ... "Specialty Services" appointment in town. Free trip to Nanaimo...let's go shopping!! ;op

Tuesday June 26 12:12 pm ... headin' to the beach!

Wednesday June 27 12:12 pm ... Margy was clearing out the Yurtini. (childhood memories!)

Thursday June 28 12:12 pm ... inside the Old Crow Cafe. Yummy food!!

Friday June 29 12:12 AM .. luckily I took this pic after we left Artworks from the Opening of the 'Annual Object Show'...Thursday LATE night! I ended up  forgetting my camera next day for the "REAL" 12:12...the pm one...could have been the late night!! ;op

Saturday June 30 12:12 pm ... yet again...no photo memory. I 'womanned" my friend Lindsay's stall at our Saturday market. She was away. I got to talk about and stare at her beautiful jewelry all morning long! ;o)

Sunday July 1 12:12 pm ... clean up for the long overdue deck party...Canadeck Partay!! Eh! It was a total blast. On To The Next Party! ;o)

 

Monday July 2 12:12 pm Cleaning and hostessing duties got the better of me. Oh calgon...

Tuesday July 3 12:12 pm ... Waiting for Antony to get off of the phone...

Wednesday July 4 12:12 ... mere hours before that little "bump" got removed! Relaxing.

Thursday July 5 12:12 pm ... beautiful, beach, relaxy fun morning time. <3

Friday July 6 12:12 pm ...rushing off from the beach to catch my ride or daytime rehearsal. Wah...I don't WANT to leave the beach!!! ;op (thank goodness we went back!)

I feel so stoked now that summer actually feels like it is here to stay. Welcome back my long lost friend. My arm is always open for you! ;o) xoxo

Happy Canada Day!!!

Hee hee hee! My little ceramic hot tub dude is really quite patriotic. (can you see the eagle in the background?) It's the one day of the year that we give props to this fabulous country of ours. All we need is a good leader and things will be just fine. ;op

I am proud to be Canadian...YEAH EH!!!! Woot Woot Woot! Party on Canadians! xoxo

Oh Miss Sunshine.

Perhaps today, starting sunny and sweet, is the first day of the rest of what is meant to be Summer...the season of warmth, sun, swim, growth, love and BBQ's!!! (our BBQ needs some tlc...wah. I hope to have it ready to rock this weekend...Canada Day Partay!) I want to wake up one morning, feed the crew (Wensday, Maggie & Larry) and then head to the beach...to swim!! I really, really want Larry to get into the water...be a water dog. The kind that just loves to splash around and feel the coolness of the ocean spray and let loose and be free. That is what summer feels to me. It's freedom. There is no need to be bundled up with parkas, raincoats, gumboots, scarves, toques, big thick sweaters (I really like big thick sweaters...jus' sayin'), woolie socks and just too much to put on to go outside. I like that in the summer, I can get out of bed and slip on a little dress...and that's all! Easy peasy! Get my bikini on underneath of course...that way I am ready to jump in the ocean in a blink of an eye! And I am sooooo ready for jumping in let me tell you! Bring it!

Here is a little tip about the sun...well, something against the sun, in a way. I heard the other day that you can use coconut oil as a natural spf...I can't stand all of the chemicals that are in regular sunscreens. So, I decided to google it before I actually took the advice. Many people say "NO! Don't use it you fool!" (people in forums can be nasty)..."I would only use it if you have a base tan.", "I used it and burnt to a crisp!", "Do NOT use coconut oil as sunscreen if you don't want melanoma." Interesting. Well, I don't think that I will be slathering on the coconut oil, just yet...nor do I suggest anyone does. That is my tip of the day! ha ha ha! I will continue to use what I have...search for a good organic and skin healthy sunscreen...and soak up the sun!

Here is my pretty little Impatien on my front stoop. She only gets about an hour of sun each day. And this morning, she is soaking it right up...just look at how strong and beautiful she is. And with only that measley hour of le soleil, she looks so happy. She clearly has way more patience as an Impatien than I do...I am way impatient! hee hee hee. All of my flowers on the deck are doing so good too. They get the real heat of the sun...at least 8-10 hours a day. (when the sun is not behind them darn clouds!) I am so excited for my roses to bloom. The second they do...photos will be up. I wish you could smell their fragrance through the screen too...oh yum! Sooooo many reasons to love Little Miss Sunshine! xox

Sweetness of Summer

Happy First FULL day of Summer!! Wheeee! Let the fun begin, I say. Yesterday was quite a beautiful day for Solstice...it could have been sunnier, I suppose. But during our morning walk it felt hot enough for me to jump in...no suit on me...and too many houses looking at that beach! lol I feel like there was even a different smell yesterday...spring is over and the new season has come in...and I am happy about it. Even just knowing that it is now actually summer...rain or shine...I feel fine! My favourite season is upon us...and it is beautiful outdoors. Pretty colours everywhere I look from all of the flowers...low, low tides to find special beach treasures (glass and china!)...sunny and perhaps overcast days but the air is warm. Hallelujah! I am so happy.

What makes me feel even more joy...the baby birdies that hatched yesterday. I went to see if there was any change to the eggs that I had been watching...there were two little skin sacks and an egg in there. Today, I found three little sacks when I went to check on them. Ohhhhhhh! Soooo cute! So amazing! I caught them on video...momma is never really impressed when I check on her nest...but she lets me get away with it. (I mean no harm..she knows it!) It just blows my mind to know that these alien like furry skin sacks will turn into a sweet little Black-Eyed Junco...cute birds with a beautiful song in their throats. Have I ever mentioned to be a fan of nature's beauties? ;o)

Wonderful time of year...time to be outdoors as much as humanly possible, I say. ;o) So...that is what I am trying to do as much as possible...get on out there and enjoy it! I only wish for more HEAT! ;o)

Wednesday Jun 13 12:12 pm

Hanging out on the deck...watering my flowers and herbs and little garden foodies! I love gardening...even if it is only on my deck in containers. Nothing like the beautiful colours, fragrances, edibles and watching life grow. I really enjoy growing things right from seed. Even if you just have apartment windows...you can still enjoy pots of annuals and herbs. All you need is sunshine and time to water and love. ;o) (Grow a little love wherever you can.)

Thursday June 14 12:12 pm

Baaa ha ha ha ha ha hahaaaaa!!!!! I LOVE this photo!!
Clint has been working on an art piece for the Annual Object Show at Artworks next week. He is collaborating with the fantastic Lindsay Godfrey (jeweler extraordinaire) The object this year is a mirror. This is a tiny portion of this crazy piece that Clint is building and painting...i can't wait to see the finished product...too cool!!

Friday June 15 12:12 pm

Where else but the beach would I want to be at any time of the day that is sunny. The water is getting warm and I keep having the urge to jump on in. Clint did on this day...it was cold...he screamed! ha ha ha! I stayed on the rocks. (I wonder why the sky doesn't ever seem to be as blue as it can be during the warmer months...I mean it is always the same sky out there...what changes??)

Saturday June 16 12:12 pm

Oh, sweet Maggie May...what'cha doing cutie pie? "Oh...you know, just panting and walking and enjoying each day that I wake up!" Says the dear sweet old lady dog. hee hee. I love her so much. Having Larry around has given her such a kick start to her days. She jumps around and plays with him on the beach. Fast friends. Buddies! (we were walking along Orlebar this day...I always forget what a beautiful beach it is there. And that bench is absolutely perfect for sunsets!)

Sunday June 17 12:12 pm

Tee hee...I love this picture. (the mirror is on the kitchen table still from Clint working on the "object" piece...so why not utilize it in my time photo op.) And yum! Clint just made a batch of chicken soup...he makes the best soups. (I make a pretty mean soup too!) We were just sitting at the table enjoying the delicious hot meal and it was 12:12...photo time!! Make sure you always cool your soup down before putting it in your mouth! lol When something is too hot...Clint likes to call it "Gates of hell hot"! I think that is pretty darn funny!

Monday June 18 12:12 pm

He looks concerned, doesn't he? Well...he is waiting for me to throw his ball...the ball that went away with tide two days earlier at Orlebar. Larry just wouldn't go in deep enough to retrieve it. i went in to above my knees, getting my pants wet, but still could not reach it. We watched it slowly get taken out to sea. (I guess some other lucky dog will have that ball now.) Here we are at Taylor Bay for the first time with Larry. We took him to go check out the Galleries. I don't even think he cared that much...he just wanted to play. ;o) Larry and Maggie both don't care too much about the spectacular views at the beaches that we take them to. Dogs...well, they just want to be with their "pack leaders" and get some exercise and have a fun time! Oh, a dog's life!

Tuesday June 19 12:12 pm

Antony...a wonderful and tangible piece of history! ;o) This is Antony Holland. He is an amazing talented actor, director, writer and just plain awesome dude! There is so much that we can learn from our oldest generation...he is 92 years old. (I love listening to all that he has to say...a lot of wisdom behind those kind eyes and sarcastic lips! hee hee.) He has recently written a great show about his time in WWII...he spent 1940-1943 in Egypt and Libya with the British army. The stories, poems and songs that he shares with his audience bring a fresh perspective to those times. Soon, there will be no one to talk first hand of those days. We must cherish the words that are spoken for it will only be text in a short while. I have a lot of respect for anyone who went through WWII. (and of course the recent wars too.) I suggest you see Antony's show (or book him at your theatre)..."One Man In His Time". I left with tears of sorrow, joy, wonder and a good feeling knowing that I can take home some memories from a time I don't know much about. Love you Antony!

Wednesday June 20 12:12 pm

Summer Solstice...yeah baby!!
My favourite day of the year. Not only is it the beginning of my favourite season, it is the longest day of the year! I was woken by the light of the sunshine at 5:30 am! How glorious is that? Wicked awesome! We took the pooches down to our fave beach spot...Tinson Point. The water was warm...the sun was bright...the air was delicious...what a perfect start to a wonderful season. It's only 12:12 at this point and we have done a whole lot of fun already. The rest of the day was a blast too. Ending it with three amazing friends sitting on their deck at False Narrows and eating lots of yummy food! (freshly caught sock-eye salmon...mmmmmmmmm!) Thanks Wendy and Mark! And Kathy too...our car pooling buddy extraordinaire...love you guys muchos grande!! Summer is always better when you have good friends to spend time with! Cheers to lovely people! <3

Thursday June 21 12:12 pm

"C'mon you guys...are we going to the beach or whaaaaat??" They say this only with body language...neither of them make a peep...or a bark i should say. These two are the quietest dogs I have ever known. We have heard Larry bark on two separate occasions now. Both times were at a clam that spat at him...and he dug and dug to try and get him out of the sand. His bark is low...like as if he is some big bad dog. It is so cute. First time i heard it, my eyes scanned the entire beach looking for the dog coming over to us.No other dog...just Larry and Maggie. tee hee. I love these guys a whole heck of a lot. Our lives are fuller having them in it.




Time to stop typing and do some more relaxing. i am just so stoked about the summer and the fabulous things that we will all get to do during the months of fun dans le sun! Yipppeee. Bring on the heat!

Dad's rule!

It's almost the end of the day. But all day, all I could think about was my dad. I remember being a kid and Father's Day was always some kind of car ride to somewhere...some years it was Skinners to go and get 5 'foot longs' and cokes, sit on the rivers edge, at the 'locks' to enjoy the deliciously cooked dogs watching the water flow...running around with my little sister and big brother...just being silly and having fun. After a while we'd all hop back into the Cordoba and take the "scenic drive" back into Winnipeg...driving up River Rd, parallel to the water and the fancy homes, (olden days fancy...early 1900's...way cool) the old cemetery and everything else that we would notice as kids (mass bullrush ditches, frog ponds, playgrounds, olden days rock walls...) all along the way...it was fun times. It was great...even for being a kid. It seemed like a very longtime that we were away from home...probably 5-6 hours. But it was cool. I have fond memories. I had an amazingly great childhood. At times, I envy those times. The days when life was pretty darn easy. Mom and dad took care of everything for all of us. I mean...there always seemed like there was a ton of things to enjoy yet always something to complain about...oh kids! I miss those easygoing, carefree, stress free and over the top exciting days. Yet...they still live in me. I am excited and happy over the simplest things...walks on the beach...bonfires...fun friends hanging out...blue sky with puffy white clouds...life is pretty good. It is if you want it to be. ;o)


Anyhow...cheers to all of the amazing daddy's out there...and mommy's too! Y'all rock. Take care of your wee ones. Have fun and be silly. You are lucky to have little ones to teach and show life's beauty to. It is a blessing. Have fun with it! ;o)


Peace.

This pic is from sooooo long ago. November 2009 to be exact. But it was the last time both my mom and dad were here. Good times. They come back for Thanksgiving this year. It i going to be so much fun! Yeeeeeeee hah!!! ;o) Can't wait. Love to all of the dad's AND mom's in the world. You guys rock! xox

Ay yi yi...keep up the momentum...

They will just keep on adding up...so I gots to get this up to date! C'mon Pam...you can do it! lol (sometimes I need to be my very own personal cheerleader...goooooo me!) hee hee
Tuesday June 5 12:12 pm
These guys are definitely two of the sweetest dogs around. I thought Maggie was quite the anomaly when she came into our lives...she NEVER barks. Literally...we have heard her voice on maybe 5 or 6 separate occasions in the last 3 1/2 years. And it was usually in fun. Having Larry now for 35 days...we have heard him bark twice. And both times were at the beach, he was digging after a clam that just spit at him...he barked at it! ha ha ha! His bark is so deep for just a wee little guy like Larry. (Here lie the two of them, waiting patiently to go to the beach. They are too cute for words!!)

Wednesday June 6 12:12 pm

It's a sunny day
No way
Let's get out and play
Send our troubles away 
Gonna ride to the beach
Windows open
Breeze breezing
Carpe Diem...
Seize the Day!! 
Off to enjoy some beach strolling, rolling and orange ball throwing!

 Thursday June 7 12:12 pm
Ahhhh, yes. Looking at my face brings me back to how I felt that day...like poop!! I am surprised that I was already downstairs at this time.  My whole entire body was aching...begging me for bath time. But filling a bath felt like too much work. I had to get feeling better...that evening was my good friend Andy's 19th birthday party. He had been looking forward to that day since November. He REALLY wanted to go to The Surf Pub and enjoy some "Margarita's!" Well...he got his delicious lime margarita, on the rocks...made to sweet perfection. Andy did not find it sweet at all. In fact, he said..."I can not drink this. It tastes like sea water!" Ha ha ha ha ha! Oh Andy! Happy Birthday young man! :o)

Friday June 8 12:12 pm
The lovely and fabulous Lesley Harris! I was invited over that morning to paint together. (Not that I am much of a painter...I like to play...I am just not an artist like many of my talented friends. But I sure love to play avec them all!) Lesley is amazing...she does intricate beadwork, painted portraits of people and animals (Clint gave her a couple lessons on faces and she has just taken off with it...she's good! And thankfully has her own unique style too! hee hee) I love Lesley. She is a special woman. A good friend and also very wise...like my momma! xox

Saturday June 9 12:12 pm
Oh yeah baby!! It's summer. That means that toe nails get painted and the digits adorned. Lindsay Godfrey has been making some beautiful toe rings as of late. These ones are in her display at Artworks in downtown Gabriola.  She is one busy woman I tell ya! Making beautiful silver jewelry and now crocheted leather and suede special pieces too! Lindsay...your talent never ceases to amaze me! :o) (I have quite a few pieces of her awesome stuff. She has been a jeweler for over 35 years. Pieces in Vogue magazine to boot! And all of it gets made in her studio on beautiful Mudge Island!)

Sunday June 10 12:12 pm

Oh Larry Boy! What a looker you are. I still see the sadness behind those beautiful eyes...but more light and happiness is shining through. You're doing so good buddy! We had just gotten home from a looooong walk with my friend Genni, her husky Aphro(dite) and our other friend Stephanie's sweet collie Uke. Those dogs are puppies...Larry was a bit shy of their exuberance. But it all worked out. The walk was fun...through the forest...oh, and through some gross and ugly tent caterpillars. Yuck! Man...t'is the season of those little guys. Devastating full on orchards. They had better turn into some pretty butterflies at least!! ;op

Monday June 11 12:12 pm 
Hmmmm...now where could I possibly be? Dans le bath tub of course!! ha ha ha! my safe place. The place where all I can do is relax and not touch anything. But silly me brought my ipod...meaning I can still check my email!! lol I should NEVER bring it with me. Yet, on this particular day, it helped me with my 12:12 photo op. hee hee hee.

Tuesday June 12 12:12 pm
Aren't they pretty?? I just love summer and the flowers that I plant and watch grow and fill up the containers they were planted in. Colour everywhere! I just love it!! We had tried to catch the 11:20 ferry to go shopping in town. Got to the line up at 10:45...overloaded already! So we took the doggies for a walkies on the beach to come back and catch the next one. Well, the 11:20 left at 11:38...as we got back to the line and it was almost already full. "You know", said Clint, "perhaps we'd be better off taking a later ferry that isn't busy and we don't have to wait so long." Oh yeah!!! Out of line we went and back home to relax a little...and Clint could work a little more. It all worked out. And the trip was only 3 hours instead of what could have been 5!!

Okay...my arm is done with the typing...good timing. Today is a fresh new day. The sun is out...the birds are chirping...life is beautiful. I have a smile on my face and love in my heart. Hallelujah! ;o)

Just a slacker slacking...

No...actually, I am definitely not a slacker. But I HAVE in fact been slacking on my 12:12 project. I have been taking the photos, just letting them add up...but not taking the time to put them up. Because of this I now have 13 days to go over. That is a lot of typing...ugh. My wrist is not into typing these days...nor is the rest of the appendage. Alas, I must get to it. So...here it goes...

Tuesday May 29 12:12 pm

Heading out for a walk as per usual...can you sense sadness though? I had just stopped into chat with a friend over some stuff that was getting crazy. (NEVER try to explain feelings via email...it will NEVER be understood and hence taken wrong, therefore causing people to get their panties in a twist!) The person was not up for a chat and it was not a good time. These things can happen. And these situations can really help open up our eyes to many things. One of the things I learned was about the whole email thing...always speak of things in person or phone. Plus, I learned a few other key life lessons re: relationships. Ahhh...life lessons...got to love them! ;op

Wednesday May 30 12:12 pm

On the regular beach that we love taking Larry to...I think he really loves it too! A juvenile eagle came flying above our heads and was perching him/herself up on top of this big arbutus tree. The eagle kept fidgeting, not finding a good spot to hang out. (Isn't he huge?...I love this shot cause you can see his wing spread) I guess this guy must be one or two. I think once they are three they get their white heads. I love Eagles...great majestic birds. I just want to know how we stop the poaching of these beautiful creatures. People shoot them down and cut their talons off and rip out their feathers. I would like to cut off the poachers feet!! (kharma can be a beatch...remember that you evil poachers!) Sorry...a little rant off.... ;op

Thursday May 31 12:12 pm

Maggie at Tinson Point! I like how she kind of is camouflaged with the sand and barnacled rock on the beach. Maggie is the sweetest dog ever. And I feel like she has gotten more life in her from Larry being a part of the family now.She chases him on the beach and they play. It really is super sweet and it warms our hearts each and every day. (all animals make me so happy...they truly are so good for the soul. If everyone had an animal in their life, there would be a lot more happiness.)

Friday June 1 12:12 pm

First off...Happy Birthday this day to my wonderful friend Tammy! (also...RIP, Syder the bestest cat ever and Marilyn Munroe who also shared this day as their day of birth.) Who's the ooooold lady with the mini afghan wrapped around her? Oh, it's Maggie May! Eating her breakfast...yes at 12:12! Isn't she the cutest thing? I really do think so. Nearly 19 years old. Oh Maggie...I sure do love you!
xoxo

Saturday June 2 12:12 pm

Speaking of the beautiful Tammy...here she is feeding Cricket some treats. :o) I spent the day with Tammy at her studio for her 2nd annual Spring Studio Sale! (Tammy is an amazing fused glass artist. Her pieces are vibrant and full of life and love...just like her!) You can check out her blog and website to see her fabulous creations. I am a proud owner of quite a bit of Tammy Hudgeon glass. (you could call me a groupie! lol)

Sunday June 3 12:12 pm

I happened to spend some time in the beautiful Artworks last Sunday. And I love these little fishies. Aren't they cute. (I especially love that they are the kind of fish that you will NEVER have to flush down la toilet! hee hee) Peeps out here buy them to put in their ponds. The Heron and Raccoon will not eat a ceramic fish!

Monday June 4 12:12 pm

Another Happy Birthday day...this time to my mommy!!! It sure would have been nice to see her in the truck too...coming along for the beach walk. She is too far away from me. :o( (Hmmm...I wonder how many kilometers it is from Gabriola Island to Dallas Texas?) Google: 3895.5 kms!!! (mom & dad are coming this Thanksgiving...driving from Texas to Winnipeg then to here then all of the way home again. Wowzas...that is a road trip extravaganza!) :o)


Yikes...I need to stop for now. It literally feels like my arm might fall off!!! lol (what else can you do but laugh...I mean really!) Time for a bath...it's 11:11...stick time! Then beach walkies after...okay Maggie and Larry? ;op