Pretty prose

When I die if you need to weep
Cry for your brother or sister
Walking the street beside you
And when you need me put your arms around anyone
And give them what you need to give me.

I want to leave you something
Something better than words or sounds

Look for me in the people I’ve known or loved
And if you cannot give me away
At least let me live in your eyes and not in your mind.

You can love me most by letting hands touch hands
By letting bodies touch bodies
And by letting go of children that need to be free.

Love doesn’t die, people do
So when all that’s left of me is love
Give me away.

-anonymous

I've borrowed this from a fellow blogger. It's a simple message, but it says so much. I hope you like it.

attention: Peanut Gallery

I've never been one to look for/beg for attention. After having started this blog almost a year ago, I didn't really care if anyone read it. A few of my friends have approached me, saying they do follow it, and quite frankly, it felt good :). I have a rather large list of blogs that I follow regularly, and most of them have many many comments on their posts - regularly. And I have to admit, I'm a little jealous. So I got to thinking...if it were easier to post a comment on this blog, would I see many many comments on mine, too? Since previously, only those readers with a Google/Gmail account had the ability to post a comment, I've gone out on a limb and changed the restrictions on the comment section, allowing *gulp* everyone and anyone to comment now. So, feel free...drop me a note. Show me the love!

Oh, and p.s. ...spammers, this is not a message for you - so leave me alone.

Aaaand...GO!

I'm still here!

Yes, I'm still alive. Sorry I've been neglectful. I just came off a 5 day weekend. It was glorious. I kept busy - suffice it to say that I didn't dedicate any time to blogging. Sorry if'n you were missing me :). So, you ask, what kept me busy the past few days? Let's see if I can recount...

*I did a fair bit of relaxing with the kitties and watching TV as you might assume if you've read any of this blog before (Diary of a Fat Chick).
*My relationship with the boy did a complete 360 - going from not so nice to really good...and I'm hopeful that this was the needed kick in the proverbial pants to keep us on track - for good. How easy it is to take a person for granted after you've been with that person for so long...hope you know how much I do love you - and appreciate you - and thank God every day that you're here... I'm so glad you 'fixed my heart'...literally and figuratively.
*I did laundry - a lot of laundry. Am I done... no. But I got a lot done.
*I actually got around to straightening up the bedroom closet. This was a huge task. The ominous pile of clothes beside my bed are now gone *happy dance*. If I could only bring myself to accept the fact that half of the clothes in there will never make it back on my buttocks, I'd have so much more room in there.
*I cleaned my scrap room. Huge task #2. It was the big 'ta da' of my weekend.
*I cleaned the house (with the exclusion of the dusting. I always seem to peter out before the dusting starts).
*I picked up my final cheque from BR - including one with vacation pay $7.08 :) Laughable.

So AI was rather lackluster last night, wasn't it? I felt the whole evening was pretty much 'meh'. Nothing blew me away ... DavidC actually disappointed me ... but I do have to admit that I loved Jason's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"...loved that rendition of the song since I first heard it on a commercial, and it has been one of my favourite songs of all time, ever since. I think Jason more than did it justice. And you all know how hard I've been on him, too. As for BB I just hope and pray they will finally see behind Natalie's duh-exterior and boot her sorry behind OFF the show. I'll be sad when James departs tonight.

Dear Dad...

It's been 6 years since you've been taken from us. Sometimes it seems like forever ago...sometimes I can't believe that much time has passed between then and now. Not one day goes by that you're not in my thoughts somehow. I always think of you with me - your smile of approval at things you'd agree with - there still even with a frown if you wouldn't so much approve. Sometimes, I close my eyes and wish that my thoughts of you would bring you close enough to touch...but wish as I might, you're always just out of my grasp. What I wouldn't give for just one more chance to dance on your toes...to hear you say, "hi Princess" one more time, to have just one more bear hug.

Thank you for being such an awesome father. Thank you for teaching me wrong from right. Thank you for showing me the most unconditional love. I love you and miss you more than words...

We're Down to 9

Well, well, Kristy Lee managed to save herself for another night - what with it being Dolly Parton night and all. I missed the first half hour of the show last night on account of having to work until 9. From the recap of the evening I knew my favourites and my non-favourites. I tried to stay up late to watch another channel feed but I couldn't keep my eyes open. Here's my opinion:

• Brooke: from what I remember, she was her usual "Brooke"-self, with her guitar. I think it was a solid performance.
• DavidC: LOVED it...that was the only performance I remember from watching the later channel feed before giving up and going to bed. This guy has it in the bag.
• Ramiele: methinks she's put herself in jeopardy...still cute as a button, she just hasn't charmed me.
• Jason: I believe he did a good job, from what I saw from the recap. He should be ok for another week.
• Carly: I walked in the room as she was finishing up - I think she did a great job.
• DavidA: he sang a good song, technically - I wouldn't buy the track though. He's secure for another week.
• Kristy Lee: for one night, she didn't have to 'countrify' a pop song. While Dolly might have liked her, my opinion hasn't changed.
• Syesha: once more, she tried to conquer a song that was bigger than her. She sang ok - technically, but again, I don't like her. I think her time is short-lived, too, as it seems she's been toward the bottom of the votes for a few weeks. America mustn't like a biotch, either.
• Michael: an utter delight...when he sang that line with 'sexy' in it, you can't tell me that women all over weren't mushing a little in their seats. His performance was fantastic...if he continues like he's been the past two weeks, he just may give DavidC a run for his money.

Bottom 3: Ramiele, Syesha and KristyLee. Going home: Ramiele

Belated Weekend Update

More sad news to report - I found out today that a former co-worker of mine passed away Monday as well. He was 29 years old. There aren't a lot of details surrounding his passing as yet, but there is a possibility it was related to his diabetes. I didn't even know he was diabetic. He liked to party (I can still hear him scream out his "oooWW" as he did when he talked about his weekend, or the upcoming weekend). Sad stuff. Rest in peace, Jeff...you lived life as you wanted - you appeared to live with no regrets - so many people will miss you.

*sigh* .... it been a very melancholy week. I can't attend my friend's sister's wake or funeral on account of working nights this week. Friday marks the 6 year anniversary of Dad's death. I'm TRYING to stay positive, but some days it's hard.

Let's recount my weekend...that's more positive stuff to talk about... Friday night I gathered together with my "bench gang" friends...all except Lori in attendance. We got a few munchies and sat around at Lana's where we talked and laughed for hours. It was awesome. I really wish we did that more often. We always end up reminiscing - seems like a part of 'what we do'. This time we even got out some old yearbooks and really reminisced. I laughed so hard I almost peed on more than one occasion. Thank you, thank you, my dear friends....it's always a pleasure. Lori - I hope you're feeling better, and next time, we'll have to be sure we're all there.

Saturday, Angela & I got up bright and early and headed to Summerside to the Paper Attic. Word had been out that a number of new product items were in, so we took advantage, each buying some new grunge board, sewing templates, and a few delicious papers. I also picked up a really cute camera bag from Autumn Leaves that I couldn't pass up. After heading back into town, we then headed to Boston Pizza for some munchie-lunch, and then on back to her place to craft for the afternoon. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to craft, but I did have the opportunity to cut & mount all my SU stamps that had been accumulating in my craft room. I also began the daunting task of cleaning/organizing my craft room. It's not quite done, but when it is, I will post pictures.

Sunday I should have finished cleaning my craft room. I probably should have started getting my tax papers together, and I really should have done some laundry, but I did none of those things. The TV was too attractive...starting my day off with some Gilmore Girls, Felicity and Judging Amy...followed by a few movies - The Duplex, and Bewitched. Where would I have fit any cleaning/organizing in there? And we all know the evening on Sunday is also for TV too...with Big Brother :). And speaking of BB - those who tune in regularly, I do hope you didn't miss last night's episode, with the drama between James and Sheila. Sheila is the most two-faced of any BB player I've watched...and I can't understand how she is still in the house. I was thrilled that James pulled off the PoV.

Farewell

Today I learned that a friend/co-worker's sister passed away last night. She was young, otherwise healthy, but had suffered a bad fall a few weeks ago - leaving her to be transferred to a hospital out of province, and on life support. I believe there were a few surgeries done as well, on acount of her brain bleeding - and at the tail end, she ended up breathing on her own, but that was it. She would never be the same ... The doctors advised she'd never get 'better', but they didn't know how long she'd last like she was, in the state she was in. Being so young, there was the possibility that she'd last like that a long time...

She was the mother of three - 2 boys in their twenties, and a fifteen year old girl. I taught her daughter in kindergarten. Such a sweet little thing...she was one of my favourites...and I always looked fondly at her mother...such a nice lady. I was thrilled when I found out my co-worker was her sister. Such a small world! I remember how the sadness was evident in her eyes when Mom & I saw her at Sobeys when she first found out that Dad had passed away. She worked there, and she only knew Mom & Dad from coming into the store regularly...but that was just the kind of person she was.

This past weekend the doctors in Moncton gave clearance to transfer her home to PEI. She died a few days later. I think she just wanted to come home. In one respect I feel that it is a blessing for her to be at peace - to have ended her suffering. She wouldn't have had any quality of life...but on the other hand, I sympathize with the grieving family. It's such a senseless loss...an accident that happened so quickly - taking minutes to change an entire family's life. I cry for my friend. I cry for the family. I cry for that poor daughter who will now have to grow up without a mother.

Never put off what you want to do...live each day as if it was your last...because you just never know what your fate is, and it can all be taken away so quickly. Always let people know you care about them...never let them assume it.