Bright and Bitterly Cold

A week ago we enjoyed a couple of days of mild weather; +6C. Last night the mercury dipped to -18C with windchills near -40. Bloody hell it was cold. Todays high was only -8 and I found it pretty chilly while I was out and about doing some food shopping. This evening is going to be a food fest; I’m having one of my ‘hungry days’. Noshing on all sorts of bits & pieces – Indian naan bread with humus, some macaroni casserole, yogurt and berries…. whatever lands in front of my nose, it seems.

curly swirly colourful bubbles in glass

As promised here is my one and only photo of my old friend Audrey who celebrated her 90th birthday earlier this month. I’m hoping friend’s photos of the two of us turn out better than this one of mine…… anyway, here’s my girlfriend:

Audrey G @ 90

The other night Lynda and I were watching a repeat episode of ‘Spectacle’ – the one with Rosanne Cash, Kris Kristofferson, John Mellencamp and Norah Jones as the guests. Rosanne intro’d a song which she, Kristofferson and Elvis Costello co-wrote during a one-off session on the only common day they had to work together, ‘April 5th’. Here’s a video of the song – it’s beautiful. April 5th happens to be Lynda’s and my wedding anniversary. Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cldEvQP_igA

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Not much else is new – still no work and no prospects on the horizon. Still struggling to manage moods but – faith conquers fear; this too shall pass; brighter days ahead…. yadda, yadda…. a day at a time. I’m okay.

For BJ

Hey – This is easier than email….

I took Mom into Great-Aunt Jane & Unca Bill’s yesterday. Had a good visit and a nice lunch. We were there for about 2 1/2 hours. Jane looks good and was yacking a blue streak.  Bill’s colour seems a bit high, ruddy but otherwise he’s his usual self.

A few shots:

the charming host

 

mom & yours truly ... caught mom blinking

Enjoy cuz. TGCOY, N.

Pithy, Pithier, Pithiest…..

…. or just plain pithed.

I’ve held out on posting to date in hopes the tides would turn and I’d have some positive news to share. Well, here it is January 20 and it is ‘same old, same old’. No news to share regarding the job search – same frustration. The financial stress has eased a little but the situation will quickly become problematic at any ‘sudden needs’ expense.

Mentally and emotionally I enjoy enough self-awareness to be acutely aware of where I’m at cognitively, mood-wise and attitude and perception-wise. At times it is downright scary where your mind can take you after a long period of unrelenting stress. Hypochondria?? Ever little ache, pain and twinge is the harbinger of some new life threatening illness. And looking in the mirror I can honestly say I’ve aged about five years in these last 10 weeks.

On the plus side – I have enough to eat; I have a warm home; I have a wife who loves and supports me; friends and associates who care about me.

Things of note: Yesterday I attended the follow-up meeting regarding funding for the mental health and addictions programming run through the local hospital and detox. Yahoo – their funding will stay intact through having creatively shuffled the finances. Had a quick word with the Director from there to let him know I’m still looking for work. (We keep running into one another at various functions so I’m on his radar.)

I regularly attend one hour seminars at the local Mental Health hospital that are put on for other area stakeholders re mental health and addiction. The topics are really varied and the presenters very good.

Last week was my girlfriend Audrey’s 90th birthday and I (we) was invited to a house party held in her honour on Saturday afternoon. When I get a picture or two I’ll post them here – she’s a sweetie.

Today marks 7 smoke free years for Lynda. I’m very happy for her and proud of her. Today is also exactly 6 1/2 years of sobriety for me – 2,376 days – one day at a time.

Sunday I chaired our monthly area A.A. executive meeting and it was the first time I felt I was on top of things and had done a good job of it. Progress, I tell ya…..

axaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxaxax

I wrote awhile ago about the season 2 premiere of ‘Spectacle’; must have been about 5 weeks ago now. A question?? What the hell were the programmers thinking by airing the premiere….. and then nothing week after week??? What was the point in that?? I’m all geared up and ready to go but they haven’t scheduled the follow up programs as yet. Makes absolutely no sense to me, at all.

azazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazazaz

Such a contrast between last winter and this one. By this time last year I couldn’t shovel the snow from the driveway any higher; it was shoulder high. So far this season we haven’t accumulated any more than a couple of inches at a time and it has all eventually thawed, melted and disappeared. Last night we got a dusting but you can still see the grass. Incredible!! Loving it!!

Making tracks - Jan 6

 

goodbye crystals - hello lace curtain