Bad JuJu Unleashed

There are few superstitions we have in our family. One- we don't open umbrellas in our house. Two- we never say the name of an unwelcome visitor, because as soon as the person's name is spoken, he/she shows up at the door (Beatle Juice! Beatle Juice! Beatle Juice!). Three- and most importantly... we never talk about how long it has been since anyone of us has had to visit the emergency room.

Now lets flash back to last Sunday.
Remember this post when I mentioned that everyone was home for a family dinner? Well, that's when all the bad JuJu was released. We were all chatting about scars we had gotten and from what, when my oldest daughter blurted out...
"Hey, it's been a while since one of us had to go to the hospital!"

As soon as it was out of her mouth, all eyes turned to her and there was silence followed by a furious knocking three times on the wooden table (that would have been me). My son said something like "Ooooo, now you've done it!" and we all quickly changed the subject to something more pleasant.

Ok. I know some of you are thinking...
"Silly girl! There is no such thing as bad JuJu, karma, jinxed, or being cursed". But I tell you - it's true, we are cursed with bad luck whenever anyone of us talks about how long it's been since we've been to the hospital. On many occasions that our conversation turned toward ER visits or injuries, within the week someone ends up hurt or sick and has to be rushed to the ER. We're cursed I tell ya! CURSED! (hehe)

Monday the boy is feeling a little under the weather; nothing major, a little pain in his belly and some nausea. Tuesday he was worse; vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramps. Tuesday evening I found him curled up into a ball collapsed beside the bathroom floor. At this point, hubby and I are thinking food poisoning or appendicitis so we get him up and dressed and head into the ER. The triage paramedics take his blood pressure (80/50), low blood sugar, temperature and rush him back into a bed where a nurse immediately comes in and puts an IV into his arm and starts IV fluids and anti-nausea meds. They take blood, and urine samples, x-rays and shortly a doc comes in poking and prodding, asking lots of question, and tells us he will be back in after the all the tests come back. A couple bags of IV fluids (4 hours) later he comes back and tells us everything came back good; his x-ray looks fine, urine is good and blood work all ok except for an elevated white count, but that could be because he is battling a little infection. He tells the boy it's a bug and he will start to feel better now that he's hydrated and rested. Wednesday comes and the boy is worse so it's back to the ER where the exact same procedure is followed. BP (too low), blood sugar (too low), IV fluids, pain meds, blood work then sent home with assurance that this is a bug and he will be feeling a lot better now. Thursday morning he so weak and is having severe muscle cramping from dehydration. Hubby and I pack the boy into the car and head back down to the ER. They take him in right away but this time place him in an isolation room (at this point I've got H1N1 virus running through my head). They give him more IV fluids, take blood, x-ray, urine and again all comes back fine - we are told flu or possible food poisoning. Today (Friday), the boy is feeling a little bit better but still can't keep any food down but is able to keep hydrated by eating ice chips and sipping ice water. I suspect he will be up and around in a day or two (hopefully).

Goodness! This was one BAD BUG that took up residence inside him and all thanks to the bad JuJu my daughter unleashed as she spoke the unspeakable on Sunday.

I'm looking for some ideas and tips for warding off the BAD JuJu the next time someone slips up and speaks the unspeakable... A dance, chant or talisman (hehe)?

Wordless - A Visit to the ER (the boy)

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Simple pleasures sprinkled throughout my weekend

I thought it would be fun to compile a list of simple pleasures I experienced over the weekend. These are little things that don’t really cost a thing or much, but they are things I found truly satisfying this weekend.

1. Kicking off the weekend headache free.
   
2. Writing in my journal or in this case, starting a new journal I just received in the mail.
   
3. An extra 5 minutes in the shower with the hot water running over my back.
   
4. Grabbing my camera and heading out for a few shots.
   
5. A hot cup of Earl Grey tea.
   
6. Curling up on the sofa with hubby, watching a movie.
   
7. Sleeping in late on Sunday morning.
8. Sunday shopping at the market with my oldest daughter.
   
9. Watching my youngest daughters cat, JiJi. He thinks he is human.
   
10. A delicious Sunday dinner with the family.

Some of my favourite photos from this weekend
(1) Halifax Finest (2) Japanese Cherry
(3) Freak Lunchbox (4) Apple Blossoms
(5) Japanese Cherry blossoms(6) Market finds
(7) Wreck This Journal (8) JiJi the Cat
(9) Aether the Chameleon

What were your your top 5 or 10 simple pleasure from this weekend?

Yay! It's Friday!

Click the link to play along.

And...here we go!

1. Moving some furniture around today, I dropped a cabinet on my baby toe and now it's all black and blue.

2. My toe is not pain free.

3. My best quality is ????

5. In nearly 10 years, I will be 50!

6. A glass of wine and dinner on a patio at a nice restaurant is what I need right now!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to shopping for some linens for my kids bedrooms, tomorrow my plans include the usual errands and possibly the beach and Sunday, I want to go to the beach if I don't get to go on Saturday!

Wishing you all a happy weekend!

Kokology - The Ride of Your Life

I have had such a bad migraine headache today, I almost forgot about posting a Kokology game...


(pg. 46) Even for people with normally happy lives, there come times when the everyday seems just a little boring and, well, everyday. Although it’s certainly nice to be able to know that tomorrow will be a good day, too much predictability can leave you uninspired. But we know a way to escape that daily routine, if only for a short while. The answer lies in seeking out stimulation and the occasional thrill. This is the secret to being able to appreciate the value of even our everyday lives.

How do we bring thrills into our lives? Watching movies, traveling, and playing sports and games of chance. Or maybe a trip to an amusement park, a world where thrills mingle with fantasies. Let’s take a trip back to that realm of childhood excitement and fun.

1. You enter the park gate, the roller coaster looms before you with a line of people waiting their turn. How long do you have to wait in line before getting to ride?

2. Your turn finally comes and now you’re racing and plunging around the course. What kinds of feelings does the speed bring out in you?

3. At the most exciting point in the course, the roller coaster dives into a pool of water and you’re drenched by the spray. What do you shout or scream at this instant?

4. Next you decide to try the merry-go-round. But during your ride, for some reason the horse you’re riding breaks down and stops moving. What do you say to the horse?

5. Your ride on the roller coaster was exciting, but it wasn’t all that it could have been. If you were going to design the perfect roller coaster, what would the course look like? (you can draw it on paper or you can go to Discovery Kids and build your own coaster)

There are no right or wrong answers. If you choose to share your answers, you may leave a comment or you can keep your answer to yourself -- have fun with this one!

*Reading this in Google Reader? Answer the questions before you continue to scroll to see the Key to "The Ride Of Your Life".

» Click to show Key to The Ride of Your Life «

Did you have a good time in the park? In psychological terms, rhythmical up-and-down motions represent sexual excitement. So your responses to the five questions actually show your attitudes toward sex.

1. The time you spend waiting in line reveals how much time you spend, orwould like our partner to spend, on foreplay. Did you have to stand in line for hours before the main event, or did you just jump aboard without waiting?

2. Your feelings during the roller-coaster ride reveal how you feel while making love. Did you think, “This is the best ride I’ve ever been on!” or was your reaction closer to, “Get me off this thing! I think I’m gonna throw up!”

3. In Jungian symbolism, water represents the source of life. Your words at the moment the roller coaster splashed into the pool show what you might say at the moment of sexual climax.

4. The horse, in psychosexual terms, is a symbol of the masculine principle. Your words to your broken-down steed reflect what you might say to yourself or to your partner in situations where the man failed to rise to the occasion.
"It’s all right, don’t worry about it. It’s only a ride." You have a truly gentle and forgiving nature.
"Come on you stupid animal, giddyap!" Yikes!

5. Your plan for the ideal roller-coaster course shows your vision of the perfect sex life. The ups and downs of a roller-coaster ride are an exact metaphor for the thrills and lulls of lovemaking. Was it a long, slow ascent followed by a terrifying plunge? A series of acrobatic loop-the-loop and 360-degree rolls? Or maybe you drew a course where you spend the whole ride turned upside down and backward?

(stock image courtesy of dreamstime.com)

Wordless #40 - Tall Ship Esmeralda (BE-43)

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Weekend Story

A celebration with family and friends for my Dad's 65 birthday.

Went on a treasure hunt in a used record store.

Spent a very dreary day at a beautiful beach.

The weather was miserable here all three days of the long weekend, but I tried to make the best of it by spending time with my family doing things we love to do.
How was your weekend?

Friday Foto Fiesta: Double Exposure

I am having so much fun experimenting with film these days.

This weekend as a fun little project, I am going to shoot a couple rolls of 35mm film in the Brownie, all double exposures. I'm excited to see what lovely surprises I am going to get!


For more Friday Foto Fiesta Fun
visit Candid Carrie.

Kokology -- Pictures at an Exhibition

{Introduction to the game}
(pg.29) Every once in a while it's nice to take a break from your busy schedule and experience the world of art firsthand. Some of us go to concerts or plays, some take up dance or a musical instrument, others try their hand at crafts. And of course there's always a trip to a museum...

You are standing in front of a painting at an art museum, hands clasped behind your back as you try to take it in, when a total stranger comes up alongside you and says something to you. Which of the following does the stranger say?

1. "Isn't that a beautiful picture?"

2. "What do you think of this painting?"

3. "Excuse me, do you have the time?"

4. "You know, I happen to be a painter myself."

There are no right or wrong answers. If you choose to share your answers, you may leave a comment or you can keep your answer to yourself -- have fun!

*Reading this in Google Reader? Answer the questions before you continue to scroll to see the Key to "Pictures at an Exhibition".

♥ Click to show Key to Pictures at an Exhibition ♥

When a stranger speaks to you there's always a momentary mix of apprehension and expectancy. In this imaginary scenario, the words that the stranger spoke actually reflect how you react in chance encounters and when meeting others. Your answer reveals what kind of impression you make when meeting someone for the first time.

1. "Isn't that a beautiful picture?"

Your friendly and positive nature creates a great first impression on almost everyone you meet. Your only concern should be that people may not take you seriously at first.

2. "What do you think of this painting?"

You're the type who likes to feel out the other person's temperament before committing yourself to anything. People can sense that hesitancy, and it may color their reactions to you. You won't step on any toes with your cautious approach, but you may end up living on other people's terms.

3. "Excuse me, do you have the time?"

To half the world you seem like an all right sort, but to the other half you look just a little strange. You create a great first impression of living life at your own pace and maintaining an individuality that some would call eccentric. You don't place much importance on what others may be thinking or feeling. For better or worse, therein lies the secret to you.

4. "You now, I happen to be a painter myself."

On first meeting someone, you come across a little bit nervous and overeager. Maybe you're just trying too hard to be liked, but the harder you try, the worse an impression you make. Don't worry so much about making people think you're great - they'll like you better if you just loosen up and relax.

(The above painting is titled "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt)

"Since I grew tired of the chase and search, I learned to find; And since the wind blows in my face, I sail with every wind"~Friedrich Nietzsche

Wordless #39Visit Wordless Wednesday

Ain't Nobody Here But Us (Zombie) Chickens

What a fun award I just got from Tessa over at Nuts & Mutton... thanks Tessa!

Tessa is an amazing writer who touches on some very interesting topics from politics to personal with just a tad of witty sarcasm - Nuts & Mutton is a must visit!

The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all.

My choices for this award are:
Don't Worry It's Only a Movie
Lemons2Lemonade
Gal Friday
Mommy Mania
Ex Marks The Spot

A Sunday in The Gardens

trans·for·ma·tion
–noun

1.	the act or process of transforming.

2.	the state of being transformed.

3.	change in form, appearance, nature, or character.

The Public Gardens is undergoing a beautiful transformation. All the plants and trees are just starting to come back to life and the birds are returning to the park. The gardens just opened up to the public this weekend so hubby and I decided to take a stroll around on Sunday. It was a little chilly, but we just couldn't resist.

Hope you all had a great weekend and a wonderful Mother's Day!

Friday Foto Fiesta: Earth Mosaic (Best World Map)

Earth Mosaic (Best World Map)
Originally uploaded by EarthMosaic

Back on Earth Day, I followed a link posted by my good bloggie buddie Lee from Lemons2Lemonade. It led to a Flickr photo project called, Earth Mosaic hosted by these lovely people. They assembled all the photos submitted to make a beautiful mosaic of our lovely planet.

This is the photo I submitted


Took me a while but I did manage to find my photo among all the other fantastic photos on the map. The easiest place to spot it is 6 rows down, approximately in the N.W.T. View the full size map and see if you can find me.

For more Friday Foto Fiesta Fun, visit Candid Carrie.

Friday Fill Ins #123

Click on the link below to play along.

And...here we go!

1. Apples are to oranges as kisses are to hugs.

2. Looking forward to seeing the hubby tonight and that's all I have to say about that.

3. I think I hear a couple woodpeckers in the back yard.

4. A big red maple leaf is on the Canadian flag.

5. Do what you want to do, but remember there are always consequences for your actions.

6. The little boy came barreling down the pathway and behind him was a Radio Flyer wagon; in the wagon was a bucket filled with polliwogs and frogs.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to welcoming hubby home from the woods, tomorrow my plans include a nice stroll in the gardens and Sunday, I want to go for brunch with the family and then just hang out with the kids for the rest of the day!

Happy mothers day to all you lovely mommies out there. Enjoy your day!

Kokology -- The Doctor Will See You Now

{Introduction to the game}
pg. 165) A hospital means different things to different people. Those coming in to have some undiagnosed malady examined for the first time may look on the place with a sense of anxiety and dread. But for those walking out the door after recovering from a long illness or delivering a beautiful, healthy baby, the hospital takes on associations of happiness and relief. The hospital is a world in itself, where life and death, sadness and joy, cross paths and intermingle on a daily basis. And for the people within, every day is another chance to heal no just the body, but the mind as well.

Perhaps you have been to the hospital before, or perhaps this is your first visit. Either way prepare yourself, because the doctor will see you now.

1. You're in the lobby of a medical clinic, waiting for your name to be called. A small boy is racing around the waiting area unattended, and you warn him to be careful and slow down. How does he react?

2. The door to the examination room is open just a crack, and you catch a glimpse of a gray and unhealthy-looking person being examined by the doctor. The patient is a person you know. Who is it?

3. The doctor's aide comes out and calls your name. Strangely, the aide bears a very strong resemblance to someone you know. Whom does the aide look like?

4. After your examination, the doctor calls you into his office, but when you enter he remains seated with his back turned to you, muttering to himself as he goes over your chart. He shows no signs of explaining things to you. What do you do?

My Answer:
I say to the little guy... "Opps, be careful you don't fall!" (in a gentle, happy voice). The little kid just ignores me and keeps on running in circles, almost taking out an elderly gentlemen entering the office. Then I look over at the mother and she`s just sitting there on using her Blackberry, ignoring her child. Grrrrr! I hate when this happens ;)

When the door opens and I see a patient in the exam room, it's my crazy old history teacher from Jr. High School. Oh my she was a mean old bitch!

The aide who calls out my name looks a little familiar but I can't quite put a name to her face -- this sort of thing happens to me all the time. Maybe I am visiting the doc for a problem I'm having with my memory (hehe).

Oh I have been here before! I had a specialist a little while ago who would get so frustrated when I would ask him to explain my treatment options in "normal english" instead of medical jargon. Whenever I would bring hubby with me, he would turn to give him the explanation and ignore me, as if I were a total idiot for not understanding.

There are no right or wrong answers. If you choose to share your answers, you may leave a comment or you can keep your answer to yourself -- have fun!

*Reading this in Google Reader? Answer the questions before you continue to scroll to see the Key to "The Doctor Will See You Now".

~Click to show Key - The Doctor Will See You Now~

The hospital is a place of sickness and healing. By visualizing yourself in this scenario, you tapped into those parts of your psychology that feel weak or in need of care.


1. The boy’s reaction shows how you react when others criticize you or notice your faults. Did he act as though he couldn’t hear you, stop in his tracks to apologize, or stick out his tongue like a spoiled brat? Now you understand how other people feel.


2. The person you imagined as the patient on the exam table is someone you feel you could never rely on in a crisis. After all, how much help could they be if they look that much sicker than you?


3. The doctor’s aide represents someone with the power to decide your fate. The person you thought the aide resembled is someone you have always looked up to, out of either fear or respect. No matter how strong you may someday become, that person will always be above you in your mind. It might have to do with the person’s power to say, “Now drop your pants, bend over, and cough.”


4. The way you responded to the doctor’s behavior shows how you handle being bullied or teased. Some prefer to wait things out, others demand an explanation, and some just get up and walk out the door. Which did you do?

(Not) Wordless #38 - Life Goes On

“in three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on.”~Robert Frost

The fire zone behind my house

The path that leads back to the house

Walking though the forest behind my house and seeing all the destruction from the fire was a little overwhelming at first, standing there in all that soot and darkness... I couldn't help but shed a tear. Just as David and I were starting to walk back to the house, a little Chickadee whizzed past me, then another and another. I stopped, closed my eyes and just listened and what I heard was not the silence I had expected, but the sound of a forest full of life. There were Chickadees and Wrens singing, and off in the distance I could hear a pair of Mourning Doves cooing, there were flies buzzing by and squirrels chattering. Amidst all the ghostly remains of the forest -- life goes on.

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Ps. I think it would fun to take weekly walks to the burn zone with my camera so I can document all the re-growth.

Explosion of Yellow

My forsythia bloomed this week, which signifies the the hatch of the Mayfly, which means I have been abandoned this week. Hubby and the other members of the "HE-Man Women Haters Club" have headed out today for their annual male bonding ritual fishing trip to their cabin in the wilderness.

What will I do without the hubby around all week? I'm not sure but I am open to suggestion.