Continued

So, yeah, the thing that really annoyed me yesterday was when a friend of mine kept voicing her concern over my well-being in tackling the snow on the way home. Sure, other people had said, "I hope you'll be ok going home, Anne."  I assured them that I would be fine, that I'd gone through snow storms before in my wheelchair many, many times before   It  was a hassle, sure, but like anybody else, I would muddle through as best I could and get home safely.

The difference between those people and my friend was that they accepted my explanation and understood that I knew what I was talking about. My friend never stopped trying to convince me to go home early because it was "dangerous" for someone like me! Not only that, but she kept trying to get Sarah to side with her and persuade me to go home as soon as possible. Sarah, to her credit, remained firm and told my friend repeatedly that it was my decision to make and nobody else's.

I don't know what's wrong with my friend!  I've had similar conversations with her before, but she never seems to understand that her actions are both insulting and demeaning to me.  Why can't she understand that I'm fifty-five years old, and that I've been driving a wheelchair for forty-five years through all kinds of weather.  I feel proud to have this attitude that nothing will stop me - and for someone like her to treat me like a mindless china doll absolutely infuriates me!

During my time at St. Lawrence Market yesterday, I was texting back and forth with my brother.  Do you know what he said about the snow?  "I hope you put a hat and gloves on."  I told him that yes, yes, I did - and that was the end of it!  Brotherly concern, fine.  Overbearing, opinionated, and disrespectful comments from a friend, not so fine.

I think I need a serious conversation with my friend, or to end our friendship altogether.

On the bright side, I met two men who were very excited about my art.  One man said he'd like to display my art in his restaurant.  He said that he would come back with a business card, and we could discuss how to proceed.  The other man said my art was so good, I should be selling it at triple the price.  That made me so happy!

But what really made my day was when my fan, who usually gives me flowers, gave me a gift card for Starbucks.  I thought it was maybe for $10.00 or maybe $20.00 - but when I got home I found out it was for $60.00!! That was so sweet of him! Maybe I'll give him one of my paintings to say thank you; he always raves about how much he loves my art.

Slow and Weird and Slightly Annoying Day at the Market

What a day! OMG!  What a day!  It was filled with funny moments, happy moments, sleepy moments (zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ...) and downright aggrivating moments!

The first funny thing that happened was when my first customer bought this card from me ...

and actually asked, "Is this supposed to be snow?"  I tried not to laugh or make snide  remarks (Naw, it's white grass ....  Naw, it only has "Happy Holidays" above the picture to confuse people!") and told him that, yes, it was indeed snow.

The second funny thing was when this couple and their baby came over to me and the guy said, "Hi Annie, do you remember me?"I had no idea who this person was, but I faked it and said, "It was good to see you again! How are you?"  It wasn"t until the latter part of the conversation when he menioned Stanton House and his grandfather Jack that it finally dawned on me who he was. Thirty years ago this guy was a twelve year old boy who used to come up to Stanton House every year with his family, during the same time that Mom, Aunt Joyce and I used to go. 

How could I have forgotten little Mark Hummel from 30 years ago? Maybe I should take ginseng to improve my memory.

I was going to write about how somebody annoyed me today but I'm tired and in pain.

I'll write tomorrow ....

Technical Difficulties

Due to technical difficulties beyond my control (my internet keeps going out on me every ten minutes or so), I'm not going to write anything earth-shatteringly interesting today.

But here are some cute pictures of my adorable cats:

A Tender Moment Between Rascal and Natasha

A Not So Tender Moment Between Hershey & One of Yuula's Boots

Hopefully, Brittainy will be here soon to unplug and re-plug my router ....

Tired and in Pain

After I posted my latest entry last night, I stood up in order to transfer from my wheelchair to commode chair and was hit with such excruciating pain in my left groin area. The pain shot downwards, toward my knee!

I've had this pain for maybe seven weeks, and instead of getting better it seems to be worsening.  I've been trying stretching exercises and painkillers, but nothing seems to be working. So,  I took the last resort and went to bed for a few hours.

Hopefully, I'll be better soon!

You can't keep a good woman down!

Penises Penises Penises

So, I woke up this morning feeling neutral.  You know neither happy nor sad.

And then, I texted with my brother about whether to rent or sell Mom's condo. Again this topic made me cry. To cheer myself up and forget about the conversation I said to Simone "You're wearing leopard tights so I want to wear my leopard tights!" and I also put on the leopard top that Sarah gave me. Dressing up in fun clothes always makes me happy!

Well then I went to my grief counselling and sure, thats good, but I cried a lot and felt sad all over again. So to cheer me up I had a peppermint mocha frappachino and brownie.

Because it had been a rough day and I was dressed up I told Dobrilla let's go to Cafe California for dinner! That was fun and the food was delicious. I even had capon, which made me smile and remember the time I had to explain to Sarah that capon is a neutered rooster. That was the time that the man at the table next to us chuckled at our conversation and then bought our dinner!

The only thing wrong with tonights meal was the never-ending christmas songs in the background.At first I could handle it but after a while I felt like I was either going to cry or punch someone. So I took one lorazapam and a gulp of beer and felt a bit better. However, when Dobrilla said "Just think of penises and what you can do with them, it will make you feel better" I laughed and laughed and I did feel better!

I'm still laughing now!  It's better than thinking "It's Demember 11, 2013.  I'm sitting in a restaurant ...." However, I don't think I could think of penises during a memorial.

But maybe thats just me ....

Feeling Well Rested

I'm feeling well rested this evening.  I painted until 4am, and I couldn't get to sleep until 5:00 because of the pain in my groin.  (I wonder if I have a hernia ....) So, this afternoon, I had a two hour nap and now I feel a lot more refreshed and energetic!

Here's the painting I did last night:

Now I'll work on emails, my employees' schedules, and ordering more cards.  I sure won't stay up until 4am, though!

Can't Stop Now!

I'm on a roll with my new painting!

Here Among the Cats

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know how much I love my cats.  Some people might even go as far as to say that I'm nuts about them ....

Naw ....

Today, with Yuula's help, I took Hershey and Rascal to see the vet.  They needed their yearly shots, and I was concerned about Hershey's weight loss.

Except for crying all the way there and all the way back, my boys were as good as gold.  They took all of the poking and prodding in their stride, even the blood tests and the thermometer up their butts didn't phase them!

When we got home, I gave my boys five treats each and lots of pats.  I was in such a generous mood, I did something I'd never done before ....

I let Rascal nibble on my pizza:

Am I nuts about my cats?  Sure, but they make me so happy!

Market Day Today

The market today was pretty good.  It was very busy in the morning; the afternoon was absolutely dead, though. Still, I made over $100.00, talked to many nice people, and got more flowers from that same fan I have.

I'm tired and sore, however, probably from struggling through the cold.  I'm cozy and warm now, inside my apartment, and my cats are surrounding me with their furry brand of love.

All in all, not a bad day!

To bed  now ....

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ....

A Good, Bad, Happy, Sad, and Damned HARD Day

Me in "Rob" t-shirt

December.  It's such a good, bad, happy, sad, and damned HARD month. 

Twenty-six years ago in December, Rob and I started chatting online on a BBS called FAN.  We were two crazy kids who knew nothing about the other and who ended up falling madly in love.  Memories of that period in my life can make me happy, sad, or a mixture of both.

Some days in December, like today, it feels like I'm losing my mind.

Last night and this morning, I wrote emails to people, like Mom's accountant about her taxes, and to my financial advisor asking his opinion on whether to sell or rent Mom's condo. Beforehand, I knew what I was going to write and I felt confident that it was time to get these matters settled. And yet, as I typed, I couldn't stop crying because writing about these things opened up the small compartment in the back of my mind where I keep the dirty little secret that Mom's death is fact not ficion.

It's hard to accept this and move on, but I know I must ....

I took my green dress back today and got a bigger size.  Plus, I got a beautiful fuschia dress too.  That was fun!

The Christmas music drove me out of the mall, but it was a good thing for me to recognize that this was something I couldn't deal with today.  I went to 5 Guys for a burger afterwards - it was delicious!

And, just now, Rascal came and cuddled with me.

Despite my sadness, I must focus on the smallest of gems.

Very Little to Say, a Lot of Work Still to Do

I'll write tons and tons tomorrow!

                                                 Unless I'm painting ....

Painting Cancelled Due to EXHAUSTION

I got up very early this morning and I dashed over to City Hall to hear depositions in favour of more homeless shelters, and more beds in the homeless shelters.

Apparently, it's so over-crowded in the shelters that those who are lucky enough (and I use the term "lucky" in its most ironic sense) sleep on quarter inch thick yoga mats and are in danger of many types of abuse from both those in charge or from other homeless people.  And, when people inquire about the possibility of a vacant bed for the night, they are met with a brusque "No beds!"

I hadn't planned on speaking today, but when somebody asked me if I would like to make a deposition of my own, I readily agreed.  My speech was towards the end and I tried to incorporate the information I'd heard other people give as well as putting my own spin on it. I said, basically, that because I was disabled and had used on-site attendant care in the past, where I had suffered terrible abuse from those who were there to provide services for me, I understood the importance of empathy and respect.  Certainly more beds and shelters are needed, but attitudes must change as well.

After the depositions were over, I had lunch and went on a shopping spree.

When I came home, I took a two hour nap - I was so exhausted! Once more, I've been burning the candle at both ends too many nights this week.

Of course, now, after my nap, I'm wide awake and full of energy.  Woo-hoo!  I think I'll write emails, work on the employees' schedule, etc, etc, etc ....

Finished Teddies

I've finished my teddy bears.  If I do say so myself, Rhett and Scarlett look fabulous!

Tomorrow, I'll start another painting - a cat, maybe!

Teddies Almost Finished

So Many Things to Do!

I was going to go to another demo today, but I was sore; tired; and had to finish the payroll and send it to my bookkeeper.

I was going to paint this evening, but I had to write emails and order more merch to send to a customer.  I still have so many emails to respond to and more merch to order. Yikes!

I'll paint tomorrow and try to finish my teddy bear picture.