That shitty time of year again...

Since I have a tendonitis in my right shoulder, and pain is actually a daily occurrence,  I've been feeling crappy and crabby to say the least.  I've seen my osteo, which helps for a few days after treatment but the pain never truly goes away.  Last visit I had with her, she suggested to see an acupuncturist for pain management, so I contacted the little man I know.  I've seen him twice in the last two weeks, the first treatment really helped my arm's mobility, and yesterday's treatment was so painful it messed me up bad.  Today it does feel better, but I just can't wait for pain to be gone!!

To add to my shitty feelings, the weather has been crap - so fucking cold, my face looks like a shedding lizard, and this time of year is ALWAYS crap for me,  S.A.D. kicks in full blown.  Despite my "happy light" and "happy pills", there's always rougher days than others. So, when adding physical pain to it all, it's bad...

Good thing is I'm busy, between work and my postcards, I don't have time to get bored.  Between the official cards and some random act of smileness I basically get  cards on a daily base.  I love it.  Today I actually received an envelop from Gyor in Hungary from a man who lives there.  Turns out he had sent a request to join a (closed) group I manage on Bacefook for Canadian Postcrossing users, and when I saw that he was from Gyor, HU - which is the village my mother in law was from, I sent him a message asking him if he wanted to swap with me (since I wouldn't let him in the group).  We exchanged a few messages, I've sent him a card from here - which he liked and today I've received these cuties:

Baroque city of Gyor, HU

Budapest, HU

Seeing this reminds me that we WILL have to see Hungary before we're too old to travel!  Last time Hubby was there was in 1991, and I've never been, so we'll have to get our ducks in a row and go!

Today, I was informed that a member of our group (in Postcrossing Canada) is quitting.  I respect her decision, but I'm sad to see her go as she was one of the good and fun ones.   Do you ever have this feeling that things are crumbling around you, slowly?  Ever feel like the you're losing some good friends because they're moving or even worst they died? Or simply losing touch with someone you thought was closer than they actually were, since the tie broke (easily) since they had kids, or met someone new?  I hate seeing this and even more feeling it.  I know it's life, I've been around and seen it many times, doesn't mean I have to like it now, does it?

Auf Wiedersehen 2014

I can't believe, as I sit here, that we're on the Eve of 2015... what a year this has been.

I just had a look at how many times I've posted in 2014 and it was about once or twice a month... pretty sad considering I used to write daily. I guess Bacefook really took over my time. That and Postcrossing. I've been postcard crazy this past year.

Looking at my stats on their site, I've sent to 32 countries in 2014, 164 cards were registered (oh man, I just did a quick calculation of how much that represents in stamps alone, and... ouch!!), but I've actually sent 174 of them.  I've also received from 32 countries, 155 cards.  That is not even considering all the others cards I've been sending through Round Robins, swap, and games, etc. because I've sent well over another 350 cards (especially since we took some vacation with our trips in Hawaii, and then Vegas) - crazy!!


I have no idea really how many I've received total, but I can tell you it's a lot.

At the beginning of 2014 I had prepared a jar in which I would drop a note about anything good which happened during the year so that when I was going through a rough patch I could open it and read a note to cheer me up.  I did open the jar a few times during the year.  It did bring a smile to my face to re-read some of my special days.  I think I will continue to add to this jar.  It's an easy thing and I think it is worth the little efforts it entails.

I wish I could say that I've pulled up my big girl panties and have been working less, but I haven't.  For whatever reason, that situation is still the same.  I get high moments of frustration, but also do get some satisfaction out of it, so I try to remind myself not to care and to do what I'm paid for.  The caring I do too much of, is on me as a client often reminds me. 


It feels, as I sit here and look at my calendar that unlike before (I don't know when exactly, maybe when I was in school or something) time never stops, there is no time off anymore, I'm always on, and I think that is what is getting to me.  I never completely disconnect.  Whenever I leave for X time, there is double the work when I come back, so the little benefit of going anywhere are washed away right away upon my return. 

I can only hope that this new year ahead will bring some way for me to unplug, to be happy with what I have and enjoy every day the sun rises.  I take this opportunity to wish you, dear blends, a great year ahead and may it be filled with health, love, peace and money to enjoy it all.

Happy New Year Dear Blends!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Dear Blends*,

 

I take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Wishing you lots of love, joy and happiness.  

Thank you for coming by here (still),

Christmastime or anytime, I'm so grateful for you!


Maybe it is just me, but I would LOVE to be witness to something like this...

* Blog Friends

Talk about a Turkey Day!

To all my American friends, Happy Thanksgiving!  Enjoy your time with your loved ones.  If you don't do it now, when will you do?

Today is also my birthday (thanks Mousse for the lovely kitty), yep, I'm turning 45 today.

I can't believe how fast it went. Time does fly when you're having fun!

Let's not complicate things

I'm a guys kind of gal. I like things simple.  When I'm with a bunch of women I get scared because we, women, tend to complicate things.

For example, one of my cousin will be turning sixty soon.  Her daughter decided to organised a surprise party, women only.  Since there was no mention of gift or anything of the sort, I've suggested to get together and offer her something nice.  Nobody had suggestion, so I suggested a spa package at a nice hotel, with a nice meal, etc.  On about twelve women only five responded.  I went out to price different packages, and see what options were being offered.  This morning I received an email from my cousin's daughter saying she didn't think my idea would be enjoyed by her mother.  Funny thing is I saw her mom on Saturday and she mentioned how much she loved to be massaged, so the daughter is wrong.

Why is it people have this need to make things complicated when they don't have to be?  I don't get that.  I like things simple.  When it is too complicated my eyes glazes over and I disconnect.  I'm aware not everyone have the same means, or the same tastes, or the same interests, I get that, plus these are the things that make us interesting.  If someone doesn't want to partake in something, why find excuses and not simply say "I'm not interested" or "I don't want to"?  Is it that hard to say what one means, really?

Let's keep it simple people, it is so much easier... geez.

On a different note,

to Mr & Mrs Marius on their new family addition, and a warm welcome to baby S.

Eleven friggin' years already!

Thank you sweet Hubby of mine for all your patience, understanding, tolerance, communication, sacrifice and... lots and lots of necking! 

You've showned me in the past eleven years

just how to keep our marriage vibrant and strong.

I love you gros, gros, gros!

YCWC

Ten years ago...

... I walked down the beach, barefoot, looking at you standing by the water...

... I couldn't believe I was actually about to marry you...

... we exchanged vows and made it official.

Ten years later I can see, we are just the perfect pair.

This may be somewhat sappy, but I don't care, 'cause we're happy!

Happy Anniversary my cute husband.

Luv u lots xox

Happy Birthday m'dear Charlie!!

Today, it is Charlie's birthday! Drop by his blog and wish him well, ok?

My dear Charlie, you're a special man,
You add to life in your own unique way...
This is the reason I'm wishing you everything a wonderful birthday
and a great year can bring.

All the best dear man.

With affection,
Stinkypaw xox

___
Image: Charlie Brown

Happy Birthday Marius!!

Today is Marius' Birthday!
All the best m'dear!
May the Force be with you...

... Live Long & Prosper!
xox

Your Friday Smile!

A lawyer boarded an airplane in New Orleans with a box of frozen crabs and asked a blonde flight attendant to take care of them for him. She took the box and promised to put it in the crew's refrigerator. He advised her that he was holding her personally responsible for them staying frozen, mentioning in a very haughty manner that he was a lawyer, and proceeded to rant at her about what would happen if she let them thaw out. Needless to say, she was annoyed by his behavior.

Shortly before landing in New York, she used the intercom to announce to the entire cabin, "Would the gentleman who gave me the crabs in New Orleans, please raise your hand?" Not one hand went up ... So she took them home and ate them.

Two lessons here:
1. Lawyers aren't as smart as they think they are.
2. Blondes aren't as dumb as most folks think.

Enjoy your long weekend &
Happy Easter!

Happy Birthday Kara!

I've kept this especially for you Kara...

THE SPOILED UNDER-30 CROWD

If you are 30 or older you will think this is hilarious!!!!

When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were. When they were growing up; what with walking twenty-five miles to school every morning.... Uphill... Barefoot... BOTH ways Yadda, yadda, yadda

And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way in hell I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on my kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it!
But now that . . . I'm over the ripe old age of thirty, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today.

You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a damn Utopia!
And I hate to say it, but you kids today, you don't know how good you've got it!
I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have the Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the damn library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalogue!!

There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter - with a pen!
Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox, and it would take like a week to get there! Stamps were 10 cents!

Child Protective Services didn't care if our parents beat us. As a matter of fact, the parents of all my friends also had permission to kick our ass! Nowhere was safe!

There were no MP3' s or Napsters! If you wanted to steal music, you had to hitchhike to the damn record store and shoplift it yourself!

Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio, and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up! There were no CD players! We had tape decks in our car. We'd play our favorite tape and "eject" it when finished, and the tape would come undone.. Cause - that's how we rolled, dig?

We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called, they got a busy signal, that's it!

There weren't any freakin' cell phones either. If you left the house, you just didn't make a damn call or receive one. You actually had to be out of touch with your "friends". OH MY GOD !!! Think of the horror.. And then there's TEXTING . yeah , right. You kids have no idea how annoying you are.

And we didn't have fancy Caller ID either! When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your mom, your boss, your bookie, your drug dealer, a collections agent, you just didn't know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!

We didn't have any fancy Sony Playstation video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'Asteroids'. Your guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!! And there were no multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen... Forever! And you could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died! Just like LIFE!

You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was on! You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off your ass and walk over to the TV to change the channel! NO REMOTES!!!

There was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning. Do you hear what I'm saying? We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons, you spoiled little rat-bastards!

And we didn't have microwaves. If we wanted to heat something up, we had to use the stove! Imagine that!

That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too easy. You're spoiled. You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1980 or before!

Regards,
The Over 30 Crowd

Somehow, this doesn't feel like a joke, but eh...
Enjoy!
Happy 3-0 Kara xox

Gung Hei Fat Choy!

Yes, yes, just when you thought we were done with dealing with those late wishers of "Happy New Year", we're hit with the Chinese New Year!



This year is the Year of the Tiger! roaar!!

Today is also, Hallmark's Day, oh sorry, I meant Valentine's Day! If you chose to celebrate it, have a great one, and if not, like me, well... happy Sunday!

___

Image: Year of the Tiger

Today is Attila's Birthday!

Happy Birthday dear Attila!

"May today there be peace within.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are.
Let this knowledge settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us."

Big hugs & kisses to you, dear blend.

Your Last Friday Smile of 2009

May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts.

May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.

May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips.

May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy.

May the problems you had, forget your home address.

In simple words ...

May 2010 be a great year for you!

Your Friday Smile

On this special day, no jokes, only a simple wish...
Merry Christmas!

I wish you a day of Peace, Happiness and Joy

Merry Christmas to all my dear "blends"!

In the Spirit of Halloween...

I noticed that you had a little Halloween spirit in you,
however you don't have a pumpkin yet so I thought

I would get one for you on my way home.

No thanks or money needed .

Just enjoy.

I PICKED YOU A PUMPKIN

Happy Halloween!!

It's her birthday!!

Wishing you all the best, my dear!

Nine years already...

Your love still remains
one of life’s sweet mystery to me.

Happy Anniversary!

I love you my cute husband,
YCWC

Your Friday Smile!

An elderly couple was watching a Discovery Channel special about a West African bush tribe whose men all had penises 24 inches long. When the black male reaches a certain age, a string is tied around his penis and on the other end is a weight. After a while, the weight stretches the penis to 24 inches.

Later that evening as the husband was getting out of the shower, his wife looked at him and said, "How about we try the African String-and-weight procedure?"

The husband agreed and they tied a string and a weight to his penis.

A few days later, the wife asked the husband, "How is our little Tribal experiment coming along?"

"Well, it looks like we're about half way there," he replied.

"Wow, you mean it's grown to 12 inches?"

"No, it's turned black."

Happy weekend,
and may my American blends enjoy their Independance Day!