Love, pain & the whole damn thing!

May 19/12.

Can't believe another six days have flown by since last I wrote, (on Mother's Day). A lot happened, and quickly! I stupidly blew a gasket in my ankle from too much running in cheap shoes! (Keds). Can barely walk now, (let alone run!) Such a drag. So much pain. Everybody warned me to buy decent shoes, but did I LISTEN???????? Nope. Now I'm spending Saturday with my ankle on ice or my foot wrapped in a tensor bandage for compression. Gak.

All things considered....

would MUCH rather be by the water at Fern Resort in Orillia wearing my Betty & Veronica t-shirt today!

Last time I went to the track at Riverdale Park,

was Wednesday afternoon. Off to the side, I spotted two guys operating a big remote control airplane. They made it fly over the park doing all kinds of spins and tricks. A cool toy and really fun to watch while running! Now I can't even walk over there! (luckily I have some decent pain pills leftover from my breast cancer surgery!)

Drove to see my GP, hobbled through the parking lot and up to her office. She sent me for foot x-rays and was able to give me a "verbal" over the phone. No fracture. Just a really bad sprain. Thought by now, it would be getting better, but no such luck.

Flashback now to pre-ankle injury, had a few good days! Went shopping in the St. Lawrence Market area. (you KNOW there's something wrong with your appetite when you can't think of a SINGLE food item you want to buy there!) We used to live in a townhouse across the street from the market many years ago and bought so many great foods and treats.

 But this time, didn't even go inside!

Instead, wandered past the old flatiron building (apparently one of the most photographed structures in the city).

HAD to hit Front Street,

to go to the Beauty Supply outlet (where a month ago, I discovered a hair detangler that actually WORKS!)

I usually buy CURE by I.C.O.N., but it costs $30 a bottle. This stuff, by Paul Mitchell, costs only $9! It's made for kids with fine hair, but, whaddya know - it's perfect for my hair type! A young woman at the store recommended it. When I saw her, she remembered me and asked how I liked the product. Told her I LOVE it and bought two more bottles. I'm also trying the Paul Mitchell kid's shampoo (which she thinks will be good for me too). We'll see.

Also went to a clothing store called Kochi with tons of bright & colourful items, mostly made in India.

Tried on these cute, sparkly blue short shorts, but they didn't fit. Too big. (everything is too big these days). That was NEVER a problem in the past, but seems to be now! At least I've got the weight up to 100, and working on getting it higher.

It was fun seeing the neighbourhood, though much has changed from those days when we used to frequent The Old Spaghetti Factory just down the street from here.

Monday night, watched "Holding On", the second last episode of House featuring the return of stunning Olivia Wilde as 13. She came back to give House (Hugh Laurie) some advice and intervened in the emotional House/Wilson storyline.

Monday May 21st is the final episode, "Everybody Dies". You can bet I'll be watching. Mondays will never be the same again! Series creator David Shore describes the last show as "bittersweet." I'm stocking up on Kleenex. - And speaking of doctors......

Tuesday was very busy. Spent a day at Princess Margaret. This pic was taken by an attorney-at-law who happened by and offered his services. He looked familiar. I thought he was a Global TV cameraman, but he swears he wasn't. Had a number of appointments with doctors, getting blood work, and a visit to the Survivorship Centre where you can meet with staff, peer volunteers, patients, learn about programs offered, ask questions, pick up calendars of events and talk about survival! (what else??)

Also stopped by the famous "inspiration easel" to check the daily message. (I've looked fear in the face, as the sign suggests. It wasn't pretty).

In between meetings and sessions, had a late lunch with a special friend who is very good in the area of inspiration/stress reduction, (but also very private, so no names). Thank you for making the time! Was wonderful to see you and I felt MUCH better after our get-together. You are awesome!

Yesterday, my son, Max, packed up his bag and went on a long-weekend trip with his girlfriend, Robyn and her family to Port Elgin. He's rarely away, so I'll really miss him a lot. (He told me I could play his drums in the basement to remind me of him, but it wouldn't be the same). Have fun Sweet!

See you Monday for fireworks in the park! (if I can hobble there by then!) I LOVE fireworks!

Oh, forgot, ran into my musical blog mascot, Aubrey Bolton. He showed me his black eye. He says his ex-girlfriend slugged him. According to him, she has a drug problem (and a bad temper).

I told Aubrey he'd better avoid her in the future if he wants to remain upright. (that line comes from my late, great Uncle Ev. Whenever anyone asked him the secret to a long life, he would always say, "Remain upright.") Good philosophy.

Meanwhile, I hope to do that too! Just waiting for the day I can go running again! (AFTER I recover - AND after buying new, expensioso shoes!)

Special day

March 16/12.

Happy birthday to my lifelong fave,

Jerry Lewis! He's 86 today! - And he's coming to Casino Rama to do a live show on April 13th at 9 p.m.!
Here's a link to order tickets for Jerry's show.

http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/10004846EA779173

And a link to ALL the upcoming Casino Rama performances.

https://www.casinorama.com/Entertainment.html

I first fell in love with Jerry when I was 11 years old and saw him do this fabulous number called CUTE in the movie Cinderfella. It's the Count Basie classic, written & arranged by Neil Hefti. Flute solo by Frank Wess, drum solo by Sonny Payne. The rest? ALL Jerry, ALL gold! My favourite part is from 1:24 to 1:47 (but really I love EVERY SECOND of the scene). Absolutely brilliant - and I've watched it eleventy billion times!

 
Have the best birthday ever Jerry!  Hope to see you in April!

Today is also my cousin, Sacha's birthday - have a great one! Will have a prezzie for you later! (Unlike Jerry, she's shy about having her picture on blogs, even though she's stunningly gorgeous!)

Today, had lunch with my lovely friend,

MaryLenore Arsenault, publicist extraordinaire! Her outfit is classy, while mine makes me look like I dropped down from another planet - (maybe with Mork from Ork?) The reason? MaryLenore writes a blog called Moss Park Fashionistas. She told me if I wore something vintage, she'd put me in her blog. So, just for her, I wore a "vintage '70s "flower power" button-up shirt over a lacy coral peek-a-boo shirt, teal mini-skirt, black studded tights and vintage red Mexicana cowboy boots with stars. (the boots belong to Kate). Now THAT'S fashion! (not!) Meanwhile, MaryLenore looked like a million bucks in her floral top and matching floor-length skirt! Perfect for spring.
(Fashion credit for MaryLenore: Satin floral skirt & jacket by Betsey Johnson - purchased at F/X Clothing - now called Original) on Queen Street West).

Here is a link to MaryLenore's blog.

http://www.mossparkfashionistas.com/

We had a great lunch at Le Papillon on Front.

The restaurant is right across the street from the famous flatiron building, (Gooderham building), created in 1892.

MaryLenore always has fantastic ideas, and had a few for me regarding some of my job aspirations. It was a beautiful day outside.

We even asked our go-getter waiter, Vovan, to pose with us. (he was very excited about the prospect of being featured in TWO blogs!) Vovan has been working at Le Papillon for 15 years, speaks French (mais oui!) and recommended the crepes. He was right. The black forest ham with apples crepe was delish. MaryLenore had the bacon and apple crepe served with maple syrup, (but I stole all the syrup, since she wasn't using it).

(Fashion credit for MaryLenore's vintage purple velvet opera coat - Bought at Ephemera Heirlooms Antiques at St. Lawrence Market)



(Fashion credit for Vovan - unknown, but HE LOOKS MAH-VE-LOUS!!)

After lunch, we stopped into a couple of stores. A really cool magazine store had all kinds of funny things including these coin banks,

and some really pretty notebooks.

I bought some cute and colourful tissue paper plus a gift bag, all 50 percent off.

Also went to a hair/makeup supply store to look around.

Bought a bottle of something called Paul Mitchell Taming Spray - (described as ouch-free detangler for kids). At $8.95, it's WAYYYYY cheaper than the stuff I usually buy, called I.C.O.N. CURE to comb through my birds nest of tangles after a shower. The clerk there swears it will work for me, but if not, says I can return it for store credit. We'll see! I've yet to find ANYTHING but CURE that will allow even a wide-toothed comb to tear through this mop, so I have my doubts! If not, it's going back! (I really should become a product tester as a profession!)

Then it was off to Urban Nails on the Danforth, where my new favourite manicurist, Kelly, acetoned and scraped off the old shellac, then fixed me up with a new, shiny pale pink shade. (I just can't get over having nails after biting them for decades)! That's TWO things I've given up lately - biting my nails, and wine. Not sure if the latter will last forever, but I'm trying! Next steps? Making some big decisions about looking for work. I think it's time to move forward.

Behind in my blogging! - (no further comment here!)

September 13/11.

Got distracted by some other projects over the weekend, so actually MISSED a day of blogging. Gak! WTF? How'd THAT happen? Getting caught up now. OK?

Back to Sunday. Went to check on Kevio at Bridgepoint.

Flaunting my new American Apparel mini. (also using it as my Facebook status pic too! - Why not?? I LOVE it) - Think it's pretty funny that I stuck with PANTS for years, but suddenly, at this point in my life, pants are passe, thrown on the floor, in Value Village bags or the laundry, and all I want to do is flash skin, bare legs, skirts way-up-to-there, have frivolous fun and let the chips fall where they may. (In fact, can't find the chips anywhere. - My bro-in-law, Garth, would tell, me, "Chips are over-rated")! I'm not getting any younger, that's for sure, so let 'er rip! - OK with you? - If NOT, too bad. This above "auto-pic" was shot with my camera stuck on top of a post in the Bridgepoint parking lot on the way in to see Kev. (FYI - Always use a PROFESSIONAL photog post when you can find one). If not, then you must resort to asking a real human being to take a shot for you, and they are sometimes tough to find!

Added a mauve hoodie to this version of the outfit. Mauve is one of my favourite colours EVER!!

When I got there, discovered Kev out in the courtyard on a beautiful afternoon, hanging with his friends, Sharon Fischer Mitchell and her hubby, Paul Mitchell. I always love to find pals visiting Kev. He needs them. His fam is still away in Malta, and though Skyping is fun, it's not quite the same as the real deal. THESE people ARE!!! Kev had a blast, showing off the series of gorgeous colour shots, (on his iPAD), of his wife, Marilyn, daughter, Sacha, granddaughter, Sienna and her Dad, Mark, to Sharon & Paul. I SO wish I could put a pic or two up from the Malta trip, but I don't have official permission yet, so can't.

Reflecting back on my OWN hospital experience, it wasn't bad at all, (well, apart from excruciating pain!!) - since I got to go home the SAME day as the surgery. (April 27th - going on five months ago now), but with Kev, he CAN'T go home. And it's SUCH A DRAG, as his house is just three blocks away, (so close - and yet, so far). And he's stuck in this place, whippin' around in a wheelchair. - But always SO upbeat and easy-going.

I feel SO badly for him though, legs still in casts and having to rely on others to get him to & fro, back & forth to work, so he can work on his music.

I know Kev. I LOVE Kev. (Duh!) And am getting to know him even better, which is just fantastic.

I got Paul to take a shot of me with Kevan, bringing him a couple of mini-Heineken cans. (I mean, what is a hot, sunny Sunday summer day good for, if not, a beer or two??) I have one, Kev is "smuggling" the other, as you see. He was very happy to receive the beer!

I was SO mad I missed Auntie Ray's visit to Kevan at Bridgepoint. A friend of hers drove her to see Kev. I REALLY wanted to capture the mother-&-son-reunion thing, but it was not to be. So, on the way home, stopped by my fave spot on Broadview to see if I could TRY again to get a decent pic in front of the fab cityscape view over Riverdale Park.

One of my MOST favourite settings!

Part of our neighbourhood!

On Monday, Kev needed me to get money over to his Mum, so she could pay her cleaning woman. He got his friend, Martin, to drive him over to MY place, and give me the cash to take to Ray.

Then, my daughter, Kate came with me to deliver the money to the condo, -and Auntie Ray, was then able to pay Cleo! (spelling? - not sure - sorry, not a good editor at this moment here!)

Later, after the whole shower/hair/makeup-with-a-garden-trowel routine, went out by cab to the Toronto Marriott Bloor hotel to see my old friend, Patrick Stoner, - a "junketeer", in town for the Toronto Film Festival. Haven't seen him in years, so, it was quite a blast, catching up on SO MANY THINGS! (the hotel had decorated a table with film cans and other film festival thingys behind us!) An actual person offered to take this shot of us! LOL.

The junket circuit seems so very foreign to me now, and yet, familiar too. I also caught up with a lot of other junket gang members I hadn't seen in SOOOOOOOOO long, (MARIA BABE!!!!), (sorry, still looking for a pic!)

- And Sandie? - Beautiful as ever! (will post a "Maria pic" as soon as I FIND one)!

- and it was all great, just to shake hands with them and share a few laughs. Big-time laughter looms large in my legend right now. (line from A Hard Day's Night). Thanks Beatles!
Thanks Patrick!