Keeping up with the times

We had a bit of a storm yesterday and around midnight last night, we saw the town cutting some branches off a nearby tree.  Parts of it must've fallen into the road.  It's a gorgeously sunny day, but actually windy and cool.

K's friend called this afternoon to get the name of his hairdresser, as he's not happy with his current hairstyle and thinks he just needs a good cut!  These kids make me laugh.  K was on MSN for an hour and a half last night with this girl until he got tired.  He explained that the beauty of text messaging is that you're not tied to a laptop, it's with you everywhere you go.  I think we definitely have to keep up with the times.

L is depressed that her hero Rafael Nadal was upset at the French Open today.  M has always liked Federer and hopes he can get a chance to win a French Open title.

I'm anxiously awaiting menopause, but my mom went until about 56 years old and I have a feeling... meanwhile, I'm dealing with a hormonal headache that calls for some Advil painkillers.

News

Fla. priest who left Catholic Church preps sermon

Immune system taught to fight deadly melanoma

Great Uncle

Main Street is busy on weekend afternoons at this time of year. I've been noticing so many women carrying Coach handbags, they are popular. On my walk today, I passed by a wedding party being photographed. Yes, the summer bridal season has started. There was another set of limousines further down the road.

K has been exchanging a lot of text messages with this girl from school the past few days. I just told him he has to stop because he doesn't at the moment have a free text messaging phone plan. He told me two of his friends have girlfriends, so this must be his new girlfriend. I'm surprised he'll even tell me her name.

Quite a few of L's friends have been getting their driver's licences and some actually have cars now, so they are becoming more independent.

I was at the bank the other day and instead of free coffee, they had a lemonade dispenser. It's something they do in the summer months and the teller says it's quite popular when the weather gets warm.

M's niece gave birth to a baby boy on May 28th, so the family is ecstatic. That would make M a great uncle!



News

Iraq-born teen cracks maths puzzle

Flip Video Not To Be Mistaken With A Flip Phone

Doctors advise: skip the flip-flops this summer - I love wearing flip flops all summer

Eight medical tests that could save your life

A nice strong run, followed by a cigarette? Attitudes toward health illogical, survey says

Bathroom's Finished

The bathroom was finished today! Yay! Hope you enjoy these pictures.

I've been watching a few episodes of 'Jamie's school dinners' starring celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. It's wonderful how he's changing the eating habits of school children in England. In last night's episode, I heard that after 5 weeks of healthy meals, the kids have experienced a dramatic change...they seem more focussed, are better behaved, healthier and happier. How amazing is that. In another episode, I remember one little boy saying he had never had a salad before!

News

I'm not afraid to dye (my hair)

Crowning our 'best brain'
- Neuroscience 'Bee' puts Toronto student to mind-bending test

A Bit of Romance

So I went for my first massage today at the spa. I had to remove any jewellery I was wearing and take off all my clothing before lying between some sheets. Then the masseuse rubbed me down with a small amount of fragrant oil. It felt quite relaxing as she told me interesting bits about her life. The main thing being that she met her current husband via Lavalife, the online matchmaking service, no kidding. So they met March 6 a few years ago, and moved in together March 9, some 3 days later. They got engaged 9 days after that and were married this past February mostly because her husband wanted to. He had never been married whereas she had been divorced.

She said her girlfriend is also getting married to someone she met through Lavalife. However, it took her about 5 or 6 blind dates before meeting Mr. Right. It seems a lot of people will send in pictures of their friends instead of themselves. One guy used a picture from 20 years ago and in reality he was in his late sixties and obese. My masseuse says she asked to meet someone 7 years her senior while her husband had pretended to be 5 years younger than he really was, with the intention of meeting younger women. It turns out she's just a year older than he is, so it all worked out. It was her first blind date and his 7th. He had decided the 7th would be his last try. He recounted one of his dates was little more than a prostitute and he was incredibly turned off by that incident. Apparently on that site, you can go directly to that kind of thing and avoid the relationship section if that is your intention anyway.


On an abrupt change of topic, I found some interesting information from the 'Frugal' news story in my 'News' section:

'Spending philosophy.

Frugal millionaires are unique thinkers when it comes to spending money: 1) they can easily delay their need for gratification when purchasing; 2) they are resourceful in getting what they want by carefully timing their consumer purchases; 3) they make living below their means painless; 4) they don't like wasting anything (especially money); 5) their sense of "self-entitlement" is highly minimized: and 6) spending is OK with them...depending on what they are buying (think: appreciating vs. depreciating assets).'



News

How to Spend Like a Frugal Millionaire

Thrift without misery

Dolores Hope celebrates her 100th birthday

Archie Finally Proposes To Veronica

Give your body a brain boost

The Teen Years

I heard on the radio this morning that Britney Spears had $350,000 worth of plastic surgery recently, liposuction, breast lifting and that kind of thing and that she now looks fantastic. She is also exercising and eating well. But the announcer mentioned she smokes too. She's so young, you wonder why she would need plastic surgery to look and feel her best. I have an aunt that must be close to 70 that has had a few minor things done, which would make sense.

M suggested I make spaghetti and meatballs today, and somehow I left the pasta boiling for 30 minutes, instead of 10. It seems to be ok and I think K likes it soggy anyway.

L interviewed at her school for a prefect position for next year. She does well in interviews because she is one of those that can think on her feet as opposed to being rehearsed (like me). She seems to be really good at coming up with suggestions for improvement of processes. The interviewer actually said he was writing down one of her suggestions. I'm impressed with her attitude going in. She has sized up the competition and knows the chances are already slim as there are certain people with a reputation, or political connections that will automatically win positions. (Just like working life) But she figures she might as well go for it, and at the very least, she knows she tried and at best, she could get lucky.

K seemed more interested last night in what he should wear to the school semi-formal than in mastering algebra, so what else is new! These are the teen years.

News

Palestinian crime novels key to happiness -
Welsh writer quit Time magazine to pen books in popular sleuth series

Blustery Day

Some spring colour
More spring colour

It's an unpleasantly windy day, today and I suspect everyone's under-dressed due to the past few, milder days. I'll be in my windbreaker for the rest of the day. All of a sudden the trees are fully leaved and the first blossoms have turned into the beginnings of fruit.

I spoke to an instructor at the gym this morning. She's been sidelined for months with a tendon injury. It seems the only cure for that kind of thing, is to rest it, and exercise when you can. She said it didn't help that she was mis-diagnosed with plantar fasciitis at first.

Our bathroom is still not finished as the contractor had to start another job while he was waiting for our tub faucet to arrive. He's trying his best to work on 2 things at once, but it's hard. Oh well, I've no doubt it'll get done, although there are always a million little things to do at the very end.

News

Spanish granny dubbed 'world's oldest blogger' dies

Decaffeinated Coffee: What Are You Really Drinking?

Observations

The other day I saw this woman at a convenience store. She was nicely, casually dressed, carrying a large Coach handbag and wearing Birkenstock sandals. She was buying a handful of assorted lottery tickets...then she pulls away in a sports BMW. Hmm. I guess who couldn't use a few extra million dollars and it's a form of entertainment too. Lottery tickets are for everyone!

K had a nice time at his friend's birthday party last Friday night. This friend's mom passed away from cancer about 4 years ago, and I have to say, it seems they've turned the corner lately. The dad's girlfriend helped at the party, and he's been seeing her for over a year now. K says his friend smiles and laughs a lot these days, where before, he never did. They'll be just fine as life goes on. One of their teachers at the time the mom passed away still keeps in touch with the family, to the point of even occasionally tutoring the boy. I remember her saying that the mom had asked her to look after her son and it looks like she's keeping her promise.

Went to church yesterday morning. They published their annual statement and it looks like they are breaking even for a change.

A woman should have

I got this in an email, and liked what it had to say...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a youth she's content to leave behind....


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....

a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family....


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a feeling of control over her destiny...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to fall in love without losing herself..


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship....


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.....

when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that her childhood may not have been perfect....but it's over...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....

how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .

whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....

What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...




AND REMEMBER:

GOOD FRIENDS ARE LIKE STARS.

YOU DON'T ALWAYS SEE THEM,

BUT YOU ALWAYS KNOW THEY ARE THERE!!!!!!



News

Foods you should be eating, but aren't - This is the first I'm reading that coconuts have a good type of fat, and am glad to hear it.

Adam Lambert and KISS duet - American Idol finale

My sister found this one for me - enjoy! My daughter L also told me I can click the 'HQ' button located near the 'play' button and it will play in High Quality. If that's 'common knowledge' for you, please ignore!

Also, here is a cute Adam Lambert/Kris Allen moment

First Massage

An enterprising young man just knocked on the door and said he's a chef out of work. He had a lawn aerator machine and asked if he could aerate our lawn for what turns out to be half the price our lawn service company charges. So we went for it. Albeit he broke a branch off one of my trees, but at least he owned up to it.

Just found out L will be receiving an athletic award in a few weeks at her school and yesterday she received a lovely card and an enclosed gift certificate from the art teacher in appreciation for all her work as head of arts council this year. Today she played a tennis match out of town with the school and had to miss the art field trip she helped orchestrate. Busy, busy and that doesn't include tonight's activities.

Last night K was finishing up some Health class homework and refused to discuss it with me when I asked if he needed any help. He said it's pretty gross stuff and he didn't want to talk about it. I left it there.

I just made an appointment for my first Swedish full body massage, make that my first massage ever. It sounds like it's something to look forward to. I'm finally using up a gift certificate I had received at Christmas.


I found an interesting article below that asks us to consider writing an 'ethical' will that contains the following:

'Words of praise to those who deserve it.
An apology (if necessary).
A request for forgiveness (if necessary).
An offering of forgiveness (if necessary).
Words of wisdom (without lecturing).
An honest attempt to settle unresolved issues and disputes.'

News

Write a Different Kind of Will

Website reunites cameras with their owners

'Lucky 13' lotto winners to be revealed in Edmonton

American Idol Finale

Adam Lambert was amazing in last night's American Idol finale. I wish I could see his number with the rock group 'Kiss' again. His outfit...what a sense of style, plus the voice, of course. It was disappointing to hear that he was not voted the winner despite being the judges' favourite, but I gained some closure reading about half of the 400 plus comments in the news article below! Let's hope we can see a lot more of him, including buying one of his future CDs. Even my 6 year old nephew is upset and angry even though his mom prepared him just in case. K likes Kris Allen.

A friend and I went for a walk this morning, it was already t-shirt weather. Well, the contractor needs to see where I want to hang all the fixtures now.

News

American Idol's Runner-Up Adam Lambert: "It Felt So Good"
Wed., May. 20, 2009

$49 Million Lottery Ticket Holder Becomes Second Biggest Single Winner In Cdn. History

Graduated Licensing

We're having a gorgeous, summery week, but as soon as it gets too hot, the next thing we do is complain about the heat!

I forced myself to go to my aerobics class today, just felt lazy. But I'm glad I did, I feel really good now. I tried to book L in for her G2 driver's test but they're telling me that if her G1 issue date is less than one year, then she has to wait for her certification from the driving school that she has completed the training. In which case, I think it's only an 8 month wait. So that should be sent out shortly. It hasn't quite been a year since her G1 was issued. She wanted to get the test done before her upcoming wisdom tooth surgery, but there's no rush really.

K has been invited to a birthday party on Friday. The boy's actual birthday was in December, but these days... L wants to celebrate her birthday party (a few months late) before the summer starts while all her friends are still in town.


News

Antiviral drug becomes promising cancer-fighter

Back to plastic? Reusable grocery bags may cause food poisoning

Here's an inspiring story - Australian doctor uses household drill to save boy

Researchers create DVDs with massive storage

A good day

We seem to be having a good day today. The contractor finally located the bath tub faucet that we were waiting for and work has started again, hopefully to be finished soon! Then just as I was thinking I really have to call the bricklayer to ask if he is coming to repair our decorative wall, he shows up today! He had forgotten the house number, but it's a great week to do that kind of repair weatherwise. Something had gone wrong with the work he did on it last year, and he agreed to take responsibility for the work.

News

Something down the drain? Retrieve it without a wrench

5 Keys to Happiness

Scene at a Golf Club

Pasta and Fish

L is glued to the TV, watching the Nadal/Federer tennis finals in Madrid. Unfortunately, she forgot about it and made lunch plans to meet a friend up the street, so she'll have to leave before it's over. She is such a Nadal fan, we were talking about how fit he is, that he's not even out of breath after some of the moves he makes. So I said, 'I wonder what he eats'. She immediately replies, 'pasta and fish'. So I really should start cooking more fish. Then I go, 'It's sort of like how I know everything about Adam Lambert...did you know he's into astrology?' And we laugh.

I'm making lasagna for today. Then K and I are doing homework. M says he's going to give the cars a spring cleanup.

News

Five fab reads: Summer's first big bestsellers

Hot in recession: Chocolate, running shoes, Spam

Avoid injuries on busiest gardening weekend of year

Cutback Girl: Giving back on a slimmer budget

Video removed

It seems that American Idol removed that video of Adam Lambert from youtube that I posted yesterday, and it doesn't seem available on their own website. Maybe they plan to release it after next week for sale!

The other big news below is that high blood pressure may be caused by a virus! Wow.

K's news from school was that his friend's brother recently got his driver's licence. Then the boy decided to take his dad's new sport mercedes out for a spin on the highway unknown to the father. But somehow he put it into Manual transmission by mistake and it ruined the engine because he was driving it like it was in normal automatic mode. He's been grounded for 2 months and his dad's not speaking to him. Life can be tough.

I also took K in for his DTAP booster shot earlier this week. It's something you get around 14 years old, but a lot of his friends don't seem to be aware of it. That would be Diptheria, Tetanus and Pertussis boosters.

News

Common virus may be cause of high blood pressure

Mosquito Patch Keeps The Insects Away For 36 Hours

Summer Home Reno Plans Should Include Tetanus Shot

One, Adam Lambert - Studio

One of my sisters is really impressed with this full studio version of One, by Adam Lambert and I have to agree, I'd buy this one. It's a softer version of the one he sang last Tuesday night.

News

Fearless Adam Lambert inspires passion in fans

Asparagus and Urine Odor - What Causes It

'Does asparagus make your urine smell funny? If so, you're among about 50% of the population that notices an odor in their urine after eating asparagus' according to this article:

Asparagus and Urine Odor - What Causes It

One of L's classmates spoke on this topic in a recent classroom assignment and it came up in conversation when I mentioned that asparagus affects me in that way. L said she is unaffected but that her friend also has the same reaction. Admittedly, she wasn't much interested in this topic, so we didn't dwell on it at length. But it's good to know the science and the truth of the matter, as before this conversation I thought there was something wrong with me.

It was not a nice morning so my friend and I cancelled our walking plans. I'm ignoring the dusty house, although I do have some steaks to marinate.

One of my sisters found this article where opera experts rate Idol's Adam Lambert.


News

User post: 7 topics to avoid if you don't want to be a bore

Miss Goth

I heard on the radio that they shot a Ford commercial with the 3 American Idol finalists which will air tonight during the show. I can't wait.

It's my niece's 14th birthday today. I found the perfect gift for her. As I was looking through some t-shirts, I remembered she's all 'goth' and into the Twilight characters, so I snapped up a couple of them that say 'Edward' and 'Bella'.

I arranged to meet a friend for a walk in the morning, before I noticed that the forecast had changed to rain! We'll see what happens. Another friend who lives in the area has decided to sell her house after many years and move to a trendy mid-town neighbourhood. They are ready for a condo lifestyle as they get older.

Well, I think I'll do a bit of quick weeding before it gets dark.

News

New tool can help predict risk of Alzheimer's

Binge-drinking most common among young, affluent and tech-savvy people

The Gardening Season

I've been hearing that the new Star Trek movie is really good. I'm not a Star Trek fan, but I did see Eric Bana on 'Regis and Kelly' yesterday while I was at the gym. He does an interesting interview (he was promoting the movie) and seems amazingly talented. This morning 'Regis and Kelly' had Victor and Tammy on, deserving winners of the most recent 'Amazing Race'. Tammy looked gorgeous all dressed up. Must be nice to be practicing Harvard schooled lawyers with at least half a million each in the bank! They seem to have it all.

The gardening season officially starts for us on this upcoming long Victoria Day weekend. That's when people stop worrying about the risk of frost and get planting.

News

They asked pink-slipped workers to modify and upload business cards, with inspiring results


Diet to lower blood pressure cuts heart failure risk

What To Do With Your Tax Refund

Seven Rules For Healthy Eating

Good Advice

There's a good article below entitled 'A complete financial plan in 140 characters':

'Eliminate debt. Cut up plastic. Join pension. Buy home. Pay it off. Spend little. Save tons. Invest wisely. Be tax smart. Marry for life.'

Good Advice, true enough.


News

Heartbreaking finish to CBS' 'Amazing Race'

Jamie Oliver putting U.S. city on a diet

A complete financial plan in 140 characters

Group warns of high salt content in restaurant meals

Mother's Day

I met a friend for a walk earlier this morning, then we did some groceries. We had stopped into the drug store as my friend wanted to check on some of the rejuvenating cream specials. The saleslady told us we could move down one section as that line was targeted for the 60 plus women. Well, we were pleased to move down to the 40 plus anti-aging section! The salesgirl said she even uses the stuff although she's in her mid-thirties, catching the problems early, so to speak.

It's a cooler day today, Mother's Day. On Friday, L had given me a vegetable plant she grew from seed at school. This morning I got some new potholders and some cut flowers (always a favourite gift). For some reason I'm already exhausted, but the day must go on. K and I have to do some math review. L went off to work then has to finish up a painting for art class. We plan to go to M's mother later on in the evening. We have to somehow watch the Amazing Race season finale tonight.

It's frightening reading the news about the unrest in Pakistan, thousands of civilians on the move.

Well, Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!


News

Humanitarian disaster looms in Pakistan

Powerful luxury brands that say, 'what recession?'

Toronto high school student wins NASA competition

Disorder in the American Courts

I got this funny email this morning and it's hilarious, every time I read it:

These are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters who had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place.


ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
WITNESS: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?"
ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?
WITNESS: My name is Susan!
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active?
WITNESS: No, I just lie there.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget.
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
___________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo?
WITNESS: We both do.
ATTORNEY: Voodoo?
WITNESS: We do.
ATTORNEY: You do?
WITNESS: Yes, voodoo.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
____________________________________

ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the twenty-year-old, how old is he?
WITNESS: He's twenty, much like your IQ.
___________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS: Are you shitting me?
_________________________________________

ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS: getting laid
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: She had three children, right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?
WITNESS: Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death.
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS: Take a guess.

____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard.
ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?
WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I'm going with male.
_____________________________________

ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
______________________________________

ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
WITNESS: All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight.
_________________________________________

ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
WITNESS: Oral.
_________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS: If not, he was by the time I finished.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
WITNESS: Are you qualified to ask that question?
______________________________________

And the best for last:

ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.


News

Happiness levels highest in northern European nations

Teen scientist wins top prize for 'designer wheat'

Losing your job can make you sick, study finds

Mom's a Star video

A friend sent me the most fun Mom's Day video, I want you to try it, it really makes you feel like a star. You click 'send a customized video to all the moms you know', then you can choose to just view it if you want. It's from the Momsrising.org website, look for the 'mom's a star' video in the sidebar.

So this morning I discovered I had another flat tire. It was on the same side as last week's adventure, but the back left one. M pumped it up a bit, then I took it in and they just found out it has to be replaced, likely damaged in the same incident. To think I've been driving around all week with it like that. Well, at least I won the lcd tv, so I've also had a bit of good times (-:

It's a gorgeous spring day after a night of rain, the dandelions are in full force. Last week it seemed as if the birds couldn't wait to get into the tree branches, the ones that barely had any leaves. But the leaves come up really fast at this time of year.

Signs of Depression in Adolescents

My sister that lives in California just sent this to me and I think it's something we should be aware of:

'An 11th grader committed suicide on the train tracks. They published warning signs for students, and are asking you to turn people in if you suspect anything. Here's part of the email:


Possible signs of depression in adolescents from Adolescent Counseling Services:
Depression in adolescents may be disguised as, or presented as, eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, drug/alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, risk-taking behavior such as reckless driving, unprotected sex, and carelessness when walking across busy streets, on bridges or cliffs. There may be social isolation, running away, constant disobedience, getting into trouble with the law, physical or sexual assaults against others, obnoxious behavior, failure to care about appearance/hygiene, no sense of self or of values/morals, difficulty cultivating relationships, inability to establish/stick with occupational/educational goals.
• Physical symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, stomachaches, neck aches, arms or legs hurt due to muscle tension, digestive disorder (ruling out other medical causes)
• Persistent unhappiness, negativity, irritability
• Uncontrollable anger or outbursts of rage
• Overly self-critical, unwarranted guilt, low self-esteem
• Inability to concentrate, think straight, remember, or make decisions, possibly resulting in refusal to study in school or an inability (due to depression or attention deficit disorder) to do schoolwork
• Slowed or hesitant speech or body movements or restlessness (anxiety)
• Loss of interest in once pleasurable activities
• Low energy, chronic fatigue, sluggishness
• Change in appetite, noticeable weight loss or weight gain, or abnormal eating patterns
• Chronic worry, excessive fear
• Preoccupation with death themes in literature, music, drawings, speaking of death repeatedly, fascination with guns/knives.
• Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts

Keep in mind that not everyone with depression will show all symptoms or have them to the same degree. If a person has four or more of the symptoms above, for more than two weeks, consult a doctor or mental health professional. '

And the winner is

Well, today I was at a fundraising luncheon at K's school, bought a $20 raffle ticket and ended up winning a 37 inch flat screen TV! Lucky day or what? M's already set it up, it fits perfectly in the cabinet where the old TV was. My good deed for the day was checking under our luncheon table as we were leaving to make sure nothing was forgotten, and I found 2 picture frames which will be delivered to a grandma that was sitting beside me.

K's hopping around on one leg, a heel sprain at gym class? I may be calling the doctor tomorrow. Our new bath cabinets are being delivered then and the custom shower doors were installed yesterday...it's already looking like someone else's nice bathroom.

News

Toronto blogger's 1,000 things win a Webby

34-Yr-Old British Man Wins "Best Job In The World" - But There's Still A Cdn. Connection

Drug Dispensing Machines May Change The Way You Fill Your Next Prescription

Fail Blog

Apparently the latest expression among a lot of kids these days is 'FML'. It was spawned from the following website. Check it out, you can even join in if you feel the need!

FMyLife 'My life sucks but I don't give a f***'

Here's one of the posts:
'Today, I ran for my school's elections for President. I thought I was popular enough to win. I lost, by 61 votes, my grade is only 62 people. I was the only one to vote for myself. FML'


Another thing L's been doing lately to unwind is to search youtube for 'fail blog'. Here is a funny one Here is another. You can also visit the fail blog website

The 'Amazing Race' is down to the final three pairs of contestants. The one million dollar winner will be declared this weekend. One of the contestants is a mom and her deaf son. Last episode, she said she thought she was doing the race for him, and now she realizes she's doing it for herself, she's having so much fun.


News

An end, perhaps, to lawn lunacy

Fish do remember

Canadians "Eighth Happiest Overall" In New World Survey

So the dream has ended

It's a gorgeous, summery day today and everything seems to be blossoming. We've started barbecuing since yesterday. I heard the McDonald's at the mall will be undergoing renovations to the tune of $100,000. I think all the McDonald's are doing this as there is this other one where I noticed a tasteful new fireplace complete with glass mosaic tile surround. I suppose each franchise owner has to pay for their own renovations? The good news is they have started serving their delicious iced coffees again.

I picked up a giant Mother's Day card with sound for M's mother. A shop assistant helped me choose it, as I just tend to go for the dry, unsentimental stuff. She likes big, flamboyant, expensive cards so I think it will go over well.

The 'best job in the world' non-finalist, (according to the news story below)
'Mitch Moffitt from Hamilton, who submitted a terrific music video production number about why he wanted the job - has responded to his loss with yet another new and elaborate song:'

so the dream has ended

News

"Best Job In The World" Finalists Have 2 Days To Win $100,000 Island Caretaker Position

Europe's Best Commercial

Quick Tips

I thought you might find the following excerpt interesting:

© Copyright 2009 by Hellen Buttigieg, We Organize U. Reprinted with permission from the We Organize U Newsletter. Visit http://www.weorganizeu.com

'Quick Tips on Organizing Your Life:

What do you want to be when you grow up?
If you've been struggling to find your life purpose but haven't made much progress, use the time you spend searching to get to know yourself better instead. I've worked with hundreds of clients to help them transition to a new career and my experience has shown that if you know who you are, your ideal job will find you. A great way to begin activating your inner wisdom is to write in a journal. Commit to doing this every day for a month and see what happens. It may also be helpful to work with a life coach to take you through exercises that may help you discover hidden aspects of yourself.'

News

Sole Canadian down under for Best Job interview

Susan Boyle As You Have Never Seen Her Before

Amazing Technology Lets MS Patients Walk Again

It could've been a life changing moment

So I left the house last night around 8.45pm to get L from her training course. I debated which route I was going to take. It was dark and pouring rain, wipers at full speed, but not a lot of traffic. I'm heading south in the rightmost of 3-lanes
when all of a sudden there was a loud 'whump!', I'd run over something. I noticed almost immediately that the front left tire pressure indicator had gone on, but kept going. My instinct was to try to get as close as possible to L's location although my heart was thumping and I began wonder what exactly I'd hit, hoping it wasn't something live. I didn't hear any sirens.

After turning west, and driving for about a block, I decided I better pull over somewhere and at least check the state of the tire. I found a small plaza and parked the car. Sure enough, the tire was flat. At this moment, L called to see where I was and I updated her with my location. Then M called to see what we were up to. He seemed to be more worried about the tire and how anyone could drive a flat so far without thinking to stop. I had to mention 'safety first' and that at least I was ok (some Men)! Then I called CAA (roadside assistance) and told them I had a flat tire and my location. He took some other details (make and year of car, its colour), gave me an approximate time of their arrival (within 45 minutes) and asked if I needed them to call family or anyone to notify them of the incident. Thank goodness for a charged cellphone and my CAA card.

I would say I waited about 20 minutes if that, and the CAA truck arrived. A lovely young man stepped out and told me that I didn't have to show my card and that I could wait in my car to avoid getting further wet. I declined and stood around while he jacked the car up, used the lock nut and had the spare tire put on within 5 minutes. Apparently the actual tire had a slash in it and seems unrecoverable. Remarkably and happily, the rim was not damaged. The young man thought I might've run over a pothole or something small that would be difficult to see on a night like this. He was careful to store the other tire where the spare was and consciously avoided dirtying the rest of the trunk contents. Meanwhile M and L had arrived to check on things. My only regret was that I forgot to tip the young man. His last words were, 'be sure not to drive over 80kms on your spare!'.

This morning I woke up thinking it could've been a life changing moment. I may not have lived to see May 1, or my 50th birthday, or my son return from his Montreal trip, or see him start high school. (Maybe I'm still in a bit of shock, but I feel like giving thanks to God) Everyday we leave home assuming we'll return safely to continue all the little things we do that seem so necessary. We take a lot for granted.

It's a lovely day today and I did a couple hours of gardening, getting the beds cleaned up. I also went for a walk and bought a small 'state of the art' looking wind up radio for emergency. They had 4 kinds varying in price from $40 to $165. I got the least expensive one and it says it also can charge a cell phone. Thanks for the idea, Barbara.


News

Thinking about eating healthy can fool brain into choosing fat: new study