Tatiana's Wanderings

LJ 21 years, red dragon with skull, purple dragon with claws, brown dragons x3!

2020-05-07T02:56:13Z

I set up a WhatsApp video call with Steph for this afternoon, and she called at 4:50 when they were eating dinner. Henry and Fraser were having broccoli and toast and some veggies, and wanted to show me how scary they were by pretending to be dinosaurs. I said I was a dragon and asked Henry if I could eat him because little boys would taste delicious! He said no, and wanted Steph to hold onto him when he was eating - or at least hold on to Lisa's hand. Steph introduced me to their NEW dog in a cage, exactly two months old (March 6) today - a black furry Newfie named Walter. Havarti isn't too impressed and is crochety about it, but she'll get used to things eventually. We ended the call at about 2:15, which is fine... talked about a LOT of coronavirus cases in Ontario, baking, Fraser doing puzzles and drawings, online reading programs with Miss Amber, and going out to shop about once a week or so. Since Steph and Lisa can both go out once a week, that's what they do!

After yesterday's ma-fan, I decided it was best to clean the toilet and then take a shower now that I'm feeling way more like myself. Way later on, I decided to spontaneously call Jon's crew at about 6:10. They sounded like they were eating dinner themselves! Ayler conducted most of the phone call, asking what time Lisa went to bed, and saying that they'd called Steph at 8 last time. Their cousins were in bed, though. After asking if I was watching a video game and how much of them I watched, he again told me not to watch too many videos. It's what everyone is doing now! You'd have some REALLY bored people otherwise! Hiero wouldn't talk to me except to say "LICK MY BUM!" Wow...

I asked how Jon would teach his piano students - online, Jon said, since Ayler missed the question. I mentioned meeting Ayler's piano student friend Ethan and of course the infamous Dean about two months ago. (only because Beckett ALWAYS thinks it's him whenever people came over) Hiero was getting Beckett to say "urine" and then "lick my bum"... of course, they all scream-sang "LICK MY BUN!" at me. Ayler asked if I could hear them - yes, I could hear them very well. I told them not to teach Beckett how to swear - they'd DEFINITELY get LOOKS if a kid who's not even two years old just busted out swear words in public! Jon said they don't, which is a good thing! Ayler said their neighborhood had O CANADA, smoke, and lots of music. Mine just has (unmarked) police cars, ambulances, a fire truck sometimes, and car alarms now. Yes, people come out as well. We set up the next talk time for Saturday afternoon POST-teaching online.

I got this virtual gift in my journal for LJ's 21st anniversary! 1999 to 2020!

From Dragon Art Gallery: A red dragon with a skull and an ornate window!

From Dragons: A purple dragon with claws!

From Dragons: A mirror decorated with brown dragons!

From Dragons: A brown dragon and a huge coffee mug!

From Julie: A brown dragon breathing frost or ice! Or it is a water fountain!

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Boneless Fried Chicken! / Spilled salsa, Eric Ho, vegetables, Purex toilet paper

2020-04-23T06:40:59Z

It's Earth Day 2020 today! I also temporarily got QUADRUPLE DIGITS IN MY BANK ACCOUNT again! Hopefully, my spending habits are a little better than they were the LAST time this happened! Also, I won't need to give $900 of my own money for a family trip like the ICBC insurance settlement. Of course, that only lasted for the time it took me to go banking, never mind grocery shopping! I think I'll just continue my usual money habits this time.

After dealing with a stupid Reddit Vancouver troll, I went banking and shopping at 11:25 AM on a 407 with my Asian old lady shopping cart, noting that the 414 shuttle bus would be discontinued next week as per a sign at the bus stop. Briefly peeked into London Drugs, and at least I didn't have to walk all the way around the block from Moore's clothing store to get to Royal Bank this time, unlike LAST payday! I got NEW Iogo cherry yogurt, NEW on-sale Oikos strawberry-raspberry / Zesty lemon-lime Greek yogurts x2, NEW Lysol Click Gel toilet bowl cleaner x3 (SPRING WATERFALL!) which was really easy for me to unwrap and apply, on-sale Earth's Own original almond milk, a NEW on-sale Tao Kae Noi BIG SPICY SEAWEED ROLL box with nine of them, chocolate orange Jaffa Cakes, and Shin Ramyun Black CUP noodles x2.

Also purchased NEW Western Family regular grated Parmesan cheese (green), NEW Western Family light grated Parmesan cheese (yellow), NEW Pulmuone Katsuo Soba Ramen noodles, NEW Ottogi Super-Spicy Yeul Ramen noodles, NEW Ottogi sesame ramen noodles with an egg block, Western Family mixed frozen vegetables AFTER TWO MONTHS, and a LUCKY 24-pack of Purex toilet paper. When I got home at 2:15 on a 407 with a nice friendly understanding bus driver, I paid my Shaw and hydro bills online. after text exchanges with both Erics about life, I went out again at 7:05 and luckily got another 12-pack of Purex double rolls along with some Old Dutch Restaurante salsa con queso (cheese salsa) and a big bag of Western Family mixed frozen vegetables for more peace of mind.

I also got Green Works toilet bowl cleaner x2 since I can just turn the cap and not have to squeeze it in impossible or difficult positions like I have to do with Lysol or Scrubbing Bubbles. London Drugs also has this, and I forgot about this till now. Got home at 8:10 on a 407 and tested out the Starfrit jar opener on the salsa jar. I hit the jar on the counter first to hopefully break the seal, tried opening it a few times, then I made a mistake by tilting the jar.... I think after that spill, I'll postpone a shower and laundry till at least tomorrow!

Hungry Man Boneless Fried Chicken microwaveable meal... YAY!

[( Smoking Backyard Barbecue! )

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Hardin Long has a tombstone?! / Fraser River, online schooling, 120 Easter eggs

2020-04-14T03:44:12Z

To my surprise, Ayler called me at 8:55 this morning because I wasn't on time with calling him at 8:45. I know he likes numbers and time, but I was going to call when a long Obsolete Oddity video was over. Beckett was crying in the background later because he wanted his blanket and his balloon, but Hiero had them instead. Harmony was also sanitizing the aforementioned balloon because it had gone outside on the balcony. I have no idea if the coronavirus can survive on concrete, but I guess it's low-effort enough!

I asked him if he talked to Steph - "no, because they do a call on videotape." Hahaha, that's true. He asked if I knew all the people in Beckett's baby book: of course I do! When I asked if he missed his school and church friends, he said he had a meeting with his school friends before online school tomorrow, and they did an online kiddy Easter church service. Hiero talked to me briefly about biking on the Fraser River, and I said hi to Beckett, who said a couple of his words into the phone. Ayler said they had 120 Easter eggs

I updated him on Fraser asking people whether they liked ice cream or cake better, told him that the Dairy Queen website is broken, and asked about their balcony activities. He asked me whether I worked from home (I could hear Jon and Harmony laughing in the background), and what my plans were for today. I'd had my coffee, so could go shopping after I ate breakfast. (they had granola and stuff) Ayler asked if there was anything else I wanted to talk about since he had run out of things to say. Then I said that the phone call had run its course - which is totally fine - so we could talk later. Yes, I called because I missed them, but also to wish them a Happy Easter 2020!

Hardin Long has a tombstone?!

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Chocolate cake, DEATH RAIN habanero chips, Steam Whistle mug, old mug, sunflower

2020-03-29T05:16:06Z

I showered and then had to do MORE laundry on the third floor because my grey sweatshirt somehow got damp from laying it on the carpet!

Edit at 12:10 AM - Paulo came over at 11:55, and has already found TWO dead mice on glue traps in the corner! No wonder I smelled something decomposing last week! I also got him to replace my old shower curtain from 2010 or so, since it had mold. We talked about the Canadian coronavirus cases, and there are a lot in Quebec and Ontario! There are definitely ten cases at Richmond Hospital, from what he's been told! Everything has indeed been shut down - not even the families can visit because they'll go outside and pick up germs, which won't be very good for those patients! He recommended I replace my Splashee Softee taupe bath mat since the tread seems to be gone, and I might slip. Probably a good idea for the future! I should have gotten him to check the other corner, but things seem okay right now. I definitely had rubber gloves, Kleenex, plastic bags, and a garbage bag at the ready! When he left just now, I thanked him.

Splash foliage shower curtain!

A full view of a Splash EVA foliage shower curtain!

( FOOD! MUGS! )

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The Butt Brothers?! / Birthday gifts, new rules, Hudson, talking a lot, schedule

2020-03-29T00:53:50Z

Ayler called me at 9:40 AM to read me their schedule for the day: free play, mealtimes, piano, spelling, reading, and bedtime at 8 or so! He also says that his new rule should be that he can stay up 15 minutes later every year on his birthday. I said that sounds like a good rule, and wondered how long it would be until he just stayed up all night. Hiero said that he made a birthday card for his mom - yes, Harmony's birthday is today! Ayler also made a birthday card for her, but said that they were giving her a good birthday gift: sleeping in until 10 AM! He also gave me a play-by-play: She wasn't up when he called me, but was when he was going to end the call at 10:10. Beckett was still eating a breakfast of oatmeal and honey, so I didn't really talk to him.

I asked Ayler how he could tell that Beckett missed me: apparently, he goes around saying "Goo-Mah" - cute! Ayler also thinks that Steph lives in a different country because her timezone is different - HAHAHA! We discussed Jeremy's cat Hudson, how burping works, how Ayler really likes talking (so he can talk on the phone to Jeremy for 90 minutes!), my banana yogurt being "gross" (HE'S not eating it!), Hiero thinking I was sleeping when they called me yesterday (I told them that sometimes some people like having their phone off when they're doing other things), my saying happy birthday to Harmony when she WAS awake, my eating all of the chocolate I got for Harmony's birthday this year since there will be no family gathering this year, and our keeping up my coming over when coronavirus is done. He said bye at 10:10 after confirming that it was 10:05 on my end, and also said that I work from 9 AM to 10 AM. Jon's also teaching him questionable things about me, if HIS laughter is any indication!

The Butt brothers Ralph and Roger have a tombstone, AND they died on the same date a year apart?! QUIRKY COINCIDENCE!

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French Woods, Lordville, Stalker, Lookout, Galilee?! / Easter 2020 Peeps Crocs?!

2020-03-16T06:10:05Z

I went out at 12:30 on a 401 to London Drugs so I could get some NEW on-sale purple Dentyne Midnight Mint gum / a MARTEX bath towel / on-sale oversized Angel Oak towels x2 / on-sale Grand Patrician 400 thread count standard pillowcases x2 / Pine-Sol cleaning formula x2 in Spring Blossom and Lavender Clean scents. The toilet paper section was all sold out! I got home at 2, thanks to a patient 407 driver who waited for me to get my Asian old lady shopping cart safely on the bus (damn corners!) and off as well.

Deb texted me a link to Pastor Dan's online sermon on Youtube today, which was actually comforting. Then Eric guessed what I was doing correctly - WOW! Frances texted me to see whether I was comfortable with going out with her in this coronavirus pandemic stage since she's a healthcare worker - I'm fine with that, but we'll see what the governmental guidelines are! Steph and Lisa are probably cancelling their Vancouver trip, too.

Then I went out with my shopping cart again at 6:30 on a 407 to Shoppers Drug Mart after checking the London Drugs website to find soup sold out: I found President's Choice macaroni and cheese for $5 off (SALE!), so I got two, plus a can of Six Fortune straw mushrooms / a can of President's Choice Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup / 14 cans of Campbell's Ready-To-Serve soup at $2 each. Herbed Chicken with Rice, Hearty Vegetable Beef, and Classic Chicken Noodle Soup! Got home at 7:40 on another 407, which is fine by me since I had to launder my four new replacement towels and two replacement pillowcases. Everything came out dry, as I thought it would! MORE LAUNDRY!

Bad grammar, Campbells.ca! You should hire someone who knows the difference between YOUR and YOU'RE!

Zero toilet paper at London Drugs!

( Stocking up galore! )

Julie M. was on vacation and saw this map at a Pennsylvania visitor centre: French Woods, Lordville, STALKER, LOOKOUT, and GALILEE?!

From Julie: Peeps and Crocs are teaming up to create Easter Crocs for Easter 2020?!

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ERIC HO! LEAP YEAR 2020 GAME! / Leap Year Frog! Leap Day Facts! / Quiche!

2020-03-01T03:10:18Z

MORE COFFEE TIME! IT IS LEAP YEAR 2020 TODAY! The Canucks played the Leafs today at 4, and lost 4-2... DAMN EMPTY-NET GOALS AND MY BIRTHDAY BUDDY AUSTON MATTHEWS! Eric Ho confirmed yesterday via text that he was coming over, and also called me at 12:10 to iron out some details, so YAY! I got him to pick up a 24-pack of Nestlé Pure Life bottled water from Price Smart on the way since I was running out. He got here at 2:15, so that was good. We talked about the parking pass / my spare keys, the skyrocketing coronavirus news, Nathan being overseas right now, the 2001 version of THE MUMMY RETURNS with Brendan Fraser, Jeremy, washing hands, my Ontario trip, the bacon quiche / Reser's mashed potatoes / meat lasagna / macaroni and cheese / Peanut Butter Pie Oreos / Mackie's Crispy Bacon chips / Mackie's haggis and cracked black pepper chips, the Lindt / Nutter Butter I gave him in a Ziploc bag, and David Ayres the Zamboni driver. He also called "coronavirus" SARS, and called the Alcan aluminum foil "cling wrap - you know what I mean." Not really or not at first, but he's still a good friend of mine!

Also discussed Jann Arden / a halftime show, 2011 and the Boston Pizza name change, HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA, my slipper socks / high heels bag / Boston Pizza gift card from Ruth and Joan, Carey Price / Patrick Roy (possible) trades / the trade deadline activity on Monday, ICBC driver premiums and car insurance, whether I caught any of Sedin Week, and the 9-3 Boston Bruins blowout the other night. Conversed about his smelling my hot sauce, the playoffs, Jim Hughson, his not preferring to drive during sunset / twilight hours, a cow in a plane for a THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR movie scene with Jet Li, and Don Cherry's podcast / being fired, the Juno Awards, the Simpsons controversy, Apu, and Krusty the Clown before he left at 6:40 after a disappointing Leap Day / Leap Year LOSS! DAMN EMPTY-NETTERS! Sure, I'll collect my empty bottles for him to redeem somewhere if he offered! Of course he did the dishes WITHOUT COMPLAINING!

Happy Leap Year Day 2020! Leap Year Day FROG! February 29! Feb. 29!

( February 29! Leap Year! Food and water! )

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Terminating Rishu, Document Destruction, fire restroom exit, Blenz teddy bear

2020-02-15T01:59:59Z

After COFFEE TIME, I had to go out to Knightsbridge at 10:45 AM on a 414 to see Rishu at Touchstone at 12 noon, which meant that it took up three hours of my day AGAIN since it was way past Cambie and Jacombs! I had made up my mind to terminate our professional relationship anyway, even before hearing that her practicum session was finishing at the end of February. (which she couldn't even email me about...) During my 20-minute wait for the 405 in the windy weather, I tried helping out an old man by moving my bag on the bus stop bench, but he wasn't having any of it. I also realized that I accidentally wore my red AMOUR shirt from H and M outside in public on Valentine's Day - whoops!

I aired my grievances, including her non-receptiveness to replying to email in a reasonable timeframe. I chose to help Jon out on Wednesdays because there was no way I'd get a response from her in time if she didn't reply on Monday or even Tuesday - Jon's requests were more emergent, and I like spending time with my nephews! I also told her how someone else with REAL anxiety and other issues might feel to be seemingly "ignored," although I know they aren't a crisis line, but she needs to learn as a student. The new location was also a factor; although she SAYS she offered rides and to meet up with me somewhere, I had to say I didn't remember that. I think it ended amicably enough, although of course I cried and then had to fill out the required feedback forms and surveys. She gave me an unexpected gift of a sticky thing to hold a card or two, and I put it on the back of my phone after politely thanking her for that and the good aspects of our sessions and time together.

Once I finally got back into my bubble zone of Richmond, I noticed a bus stop sign saying that the $3 KFC Mega Popcorn box deal was only on until the 16th. Since I wasn't planning on going out before then, I decided to take advantage of it even if more time and energy would be spent. I tried taking a photo of the Shoppers sign saying they were out of hand sanitizer, face masks, and rubbing alcohol... but discovered that my Compass Card in the new sticky thing was blocking the camera! Luckily, I came across some Dairy Queen workers who weren't busy, and the girl unstuck the corner enough for me to figure things out from there. PHEW! I bought the $3 fried chicken and chilled at Richmond Centre for a while. Saw a cute teddy bear offering hugs, so I also took advantage of that. I finally got home at 3:45 on a 407.

Document Destruction Service! Yes, of course I am aware of the need to shred sensitive documents. The name just appealed to my morbid sense of humor.

What do you mean, the fire door is inside the men's restroom?! Weird location for a fire exit... I needed to check this out for sure!

( No fire behind the door! Teddy bear hugs! Fried chicken! Sold out of things! )

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My first Reddit silver! / Daffy Duck vest: YES! I AM TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL!

2020-01-10T03:19:43Z

COFFEE TIME! I showered and did laundry today, like the red dragon hoodie with white flecks from Steph's laundry detergent OR leaving it in the washing machine for days, AND Jon's socks which Harmony loaned me - the hoodie now looks awesome again, thanks to white vinegar! I called Chrystal at work at 3:15, and 7:30 on the 24th sounds like a great time to catch her up on my trip! The Canucks played the Panthers today at 4, and lost 5-2. Eric can give me a ride to church and UBC on the 19th for Hiero's party, thank goodness! His hockey is at UBC, so I'm glad I remembered that little detail. Rishu also wants to reschedule tomorrow's appointment since she's sick - fine by me, since I don't particularly feel like busing in the potential snow!

I got my first Reddit silver on September 13, 2019 for tagging LittleYeti11's assoholic boyfriend, CrazyPotatotoes! Woo!

My Daffy Duck vest: YES! I AM TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL!

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Zoom! Blankets! Mine! Ladybug! Please! / Beckett's balls! / CREATIVE CURSING?!

2020-01-08T07:22:31Z

After COFFEE TIME, I went out at 2:40 on a 401 to help with the kids, but decided to stop by the post office first to mail stuff to Steph and Joan for $4.38 only! It was sort of quick, no thanks to someone wanting to check out her post office box while mailing stuff! I got to the house at about 4, and settled in to play with Beckett, who walked to the door to say hi, and also walked to the washroom to see what I was doing. He's picked up "please" and has a new Summertime word board book, which he plopped into my lap to "read." (he's working on "ladybug" and calls every animal a "doggy" - cute!) When I took his turtle and frog blanket away from him to adjust it a little, he said "mine" and snatched it back. Okay, then! I found his cool blue sunglasses, and he wanted me to put them on him a few times, so I did. He also moved an emotion egg ("dan-dan") around on the freezer door handle, which he found amusing - better than throwing balls into the dishwasher! (and he smiled BIG for the Vitamin D tablets - and loved chocolates!)

Ayler told me about the TAB key and how the SHIFT key meant that you had to stretch your pinky ALL the way - yup, you're right! He also called Beckett "my baby," haha! Hiero "shot" me with a Duplo "gun" which he could turn into a "sword," and they both encouraged Beckett to go to the printer and print something out! Later, I found Beckett's family baby book - he pointed at the page with Myles on it, and called everyone "Cou-fu," hahaha! He pointed at Steph and said "auntie" - he was also pointing at me from the table and saying AUNTIE, too! Hiero asked what I'd do if he called me "Auntie Blah Blah," so I said that I'd ignore him because that was disrespectful. They were making paper "birthday cakes." He also wanted me to read "Weird but True," but I was busy with Beckett, who'd gone to the far windowsill to roll some balls he'd left there. Harmony asked if he was okay - sure, he didn't kill himself on the curtain! We talked about pastors at church when I brought up Pastor Dan leaving.

When Beckett went under the piano bench to sit under the piano, he practiced the word "happy" - that's a good word to know, for sure! We had duck with hair, avocado, beans, hibiscus juice, bok choy, and soup for dinner. They'd had hot chocolate earlier, and Beckett made a couple of big messes with that AND the juice! Uh-oh is right! Random blobs of food even got on my socks (from the Cheerios that Beckett was giving me from his mouth), so Harmony gave me Jon's socks to wear home. I taught him the word "zoom" in reference to a small toy truck that was lying around. He likes spinning the wooden "intersection" from the train tracks, and is less amused by the baby pop-up toy now. When I spread the blankie on my lap, he lay down on it and sucked his fingers. Guess he likes the blankie!

I left earlier than I might, and Beckett knows BYE-BYE and said it a lot to me! Finally got home at 8:35, no thanks to idiots holding open the door at Bridgeport so some guy could get his HUGE bag of stuff in (making someone else move), OR a bike at the Brighouse elevator, OR what turned out to be the 407 driver blocking my direct path to the bus door because he HAD to talk to his colleague about his "twin." I was so annoyed that I said "EXCUSE ME!" Some people need to catch the bus, you know! Contrary to what I usually do, I didn't even thank him on my way out of the bus! The Canucks played Tampa Bay today at 4, and LOST 9-2?!

From Julie: CREATIVE CURSING?! A mix and match profanity generator!

Beckett's molecule balls, shells, emotion eggs, soccer ball, and baby pop-up toy!

16 Carnaby peppermint candy canes!

Duck with hair, bok choy, beef, and other things in a soup!

Baked beans and avocado!

This entry was originally posted at https://glowing-dragon.dreamwidth.org/6313160.html. It doesn't matter to me if you comment here or there.

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What I got for Christmas 2019!

2020-01-04T02:35:28Z

* Lea D. (plop_O) from Reddit: a Christmas card

* Eric M.: Seattle Chocolates truffles in a Woodland Cheer gift box

* Jon and Harmony: Pure Nail Spa gift card and a photo card

* Christy C. (snoopdawg): a Christmas card

* Julie M. (moonshar): a Christmas card

* surprise Toasties Totes slipper socks x2 from Grandma Joan

* surprise $25 Boston Pizza gift card from Ruth

* a trip to Ontario from Steph and Lisa... two weeks!

* A Christmas card and stickers from Janina: Valentine's hearts, cupcakes, birds, flowers, robots, STAR WARS, an anchor, a steering wheel, boats, ships, fruit, ice cream, watermelon, peaches, strawberries, grapes, blueberries, green apples, and ninjas in training! SO SMART! Super job! School matters! You measure up! Looking good! School rules! WOW! So bright - discover! Great work! (pinkfloyd63)

* a Christmas card and stickers from Julie: A question mark, a football, a skull, a Rubik's Cube, dice, UK sneakers, and a shoe on a skateboard! (moonshar)

* Mom and Dad: President's Choice jalapeno cheddar popcorn, a yellow-green Roots knapsack or backpack to "replace" my reusable bags from London Drugs, two Paderno steak knives, small Cuisinart Canada scissors, a 100 Yen coin, grey Touch Gloves mittens, a Gildan black T-shirt with a golden dragon, an Asian notebook, an embossed pink rose journal, two random spiral notepads, and a zippered Doge bag which I switched out with the grey-white bag since Steph probably wouldn't care.

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POOP OR GET OFF THE POTTY!

2020-01-02T23:53:36Z

Lisa, Fraser, Henry, and I went to the Stoney Creek Community Centre on Boxing Day last week to see Steph at work and to visit the library. We saw a book called POOP OR GET OFF THE POTTY! HAHA!

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Rise and shine, mother clucker! / Chapman's frozen yogurt and ice cream!

2019-12-10T04:14:19Z

I got a chance to catch up with Andrew M. this afternoon via phone, which was nice. Talked about kids, quadding, my computer chair, and more stuff.

This pink T-shirt is from Julie M. and Wish: Rise and shine, mother clucker!

From Julie M. and Introvert Spring: These pie charts are about what people think "introverted" means, and what "introverted" actually means!

Chapman's frozen yogurt: Caramel Pecan Crunch!

Chapman's frozen yogurt: Cappuccino with chocolate espresso flakes! I had this with Teunis.

Chapman's frozen yogurt: Black Jack Cherry! Cherry and Chocolate Yogurt with Black Cherries and Cherry Chocolate Cups! I had this with Teunis, and later with Mike.

Chapman's Butterscotch Ripple ice cream!

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My evil siblings hijacked my Facebook in 2011 - YIKES! / Miraynda Salinas?!

2019-12-06T06:29:09Z

I went to do the dishes in February 2011 at a family dinner, and came back to this on my Facebook timeline. Thanks, evil siblings!

From Youtube: Miraynda Salinas?! BAD SPELLING OF MIRANDA!

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Balls! Understanding! Piano! Magic tricks! / Getting older at Christmas!

2019-12-04T09:54:13Z

After COFFEE TIME, I went out at 3:15 (first refilling my yearly prescription at the pharmacy next door) on a 401 (JUST IN TIME) to help with the kids. I had to leave room for a suitcase and also remember to get to the house after 4:35 because of a water shutoff till 4. Lovely! I killed time at the Save-On nearby, and when Harmony said they were fine at 4:35, I said I'd be there soon, but made a necessary pit stop at Kwong Chow first. That meant I washed my hands twice within ten minutes, but whatever. The replacement black carry-on suitcase looked okay, and I later found out that ALL the zippers were fine and that it was way easier to handle and maneuver! When I got there just after 5, Beckett wanted to see me and say hi in his own way - so cute! Harmony said that Jon was doing his West Vancouver holiday gig, which is totally worth it, but means a little extra work on everyone else's part. Ayler wanted to know why, haha. My nephews are smart and curious kids!

Hiero wanted to show me his "enchanted airplane," Ayler wanted to show me some piano techniques and quiz me on piano (and quizzing me on math at dinner), and Beckett just wanted to show me all his balls and have this cute confused look when the balls wouldn't go through the holes in that wooden toy. He did go over to the far windowsill (almost obscured by the curtain) and play with the toy molecule rod and balls there while looking at the lights across the street. (and did it with the near window, too - spouting gibberish as usual) I found another emotion egg later and gave it to him. He wanted to go after the pom-pom on my Santa hat (Harmony thought that was funny), explore my bling shirt, and gently touched the keloid scar on my neck later out of curiosity. (I told him that this wasn't a "ball-ball") He climbed on top of Ayler, who didn't like that, and then climbed on top of Hiero, who was a bit more acquiescent. When he threw the balls around and pointed at them, I asked him if he wanted me to go get them. After a pause, he said "yeah," so I said okay. Hiero wasn't sure if he knows what that means, but he did say "wow" tonight for the first time!

Beckett also has discovered the apartment door, and sometimes crawls to it for whatever reason. I picked him up and got him out of there, of course. He wanted to sit on my lap and "read" the 100 Words baby book, which I of course let him do because he's much lighter than his brothers and my legs don't complain! I did have a toe cramp much later, but it was okay within a few minutes of agony. We had beef tendon and beef brisket with broad white noodles and vegetables for dinner - even with cereal, Beckett didn't eat much. Harmony crammed some Rice Krispies into his mouth later a few times when he was preoccupied with me and the toys, otherwise he'll be way too hungry tomorrow morning! She bought some stuff on the Black Friday sales, and I told the kids about the KFC 50% Bowls and Buckets deal yesterday when Harmony was gone temporarily. Hiero asked if I wanted to buy it - not after I heard the website was pretty broken! Ayler asked me what a website was, so I asked him if he remembers Kids Physio. His face brightened at that: YES! I told him that a lot of stores and businesses and people had websites on the Internet these days. He seemed to accept this explanation. I didn't mind if Harmony gave Beckett some shortbread at all.

I left at 7:30 and was thankfully able to catch the 3 Marine Drive bus earlier instead of later, and got home at 8:40 on a 407 in time to catch the last five minutes of the second period. The Canucks played Ottawa tonight at 7, and won 5-2 on the Alex Burrows Ring of Honor evening! Fantenberg and MacEwen got their first goals! I also managed to pack everything into that suitcase without anything breaking or being overstuffed... SUCCESS!

Random stuff from Mom and Dad: Cozy Christmas socks and a green PEANUTS water bottle!

Dinner tonight: beef tendon, veggies, and noodles!

From Julie: Christmas is so much harder when you get older. It's like, "What do you want this year?" I don't know... maybe a sense of purpose, some financial security, could use more sleep, a bottle of wine, and maybe some new bras. I had to use MS Paint to edit in an Oxford comma LIKE IT SHOULD BE!

The Famous Grouse whiskey shortbread!

Cozy Christmas socks for me, Steph, and Lisa! Pig coin purse for Steph! FUZZY SOCKS!

Western Family condensed cream of mushroom soup!

Green PEANUTS water bottle for me!

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Word Counter Tool / 36 and 24 is a pretty major age gap! / Maranda Johnson?!

2019-11-23T04:47:12Z

Went to London Drugs at 3:15 on a 407 to get some cheaper Advent calendars x7, which I finally found in the form of on-sale $2 Windel Advent calendars. I'm not paying $9 for one, LINDT! I also got American Greetings Christmas stickers x5 (ornaments / cats / dogs / snowflakes / reindeer / winter), ten Scrub Daddy sponges, and 400 Mead index cards, getting home at 4:20 on a late 407. I also had to measure my duffle bags

Word Counter Tool since CharacterCountOnline.com is offline now for whatever reason. At least the annoying SEO Keyword Tool stuff is BELOW what I need! There was another Word Count Tool, but I don't care about the readability level of my blurbs right above the text box.

( Christmas stickers and duffel Tracker bags from Bentley! )

From r/relationship_advice on September 18, 2019: No, aliibe, 36 and 24 is not "literally almost a decade." It is in fact 12 years... MORE than a decade! Reminds me of these ditzy girls that my sister saw at the park once. "75 minutes?! That's, like, almost an hour!"

Also, throwawaypeen12345 is NOT making himself look good with the clickbait (he has no penis) OR trying to downplay the MAJOR age gap when he LEADS OFF with that…

From Reddit and r/vancouver: Maranda Johnson?! BAD SPELLING OF MIRANDA! Or is it like the FINAL FANTASY VI town?

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Cards Received, 2019!

2019-11-17T04:34:11Z

Cards Received, 2019!

Metallica, "Jump Into The Fire"

Special 2019 (1)

* Nepenthes: "Flamsterette_X, I hope this feminist BEFORE YOU ASK, THE ANSWER IS NO pin makes its way quickly to you. Thank you for rehoming her. :) Enjoy. My name's Latin for a type of pitcher plant."

Birthday 2019 (3)

* Julie: "Happy birthday to you! Here's to many more years of memes, bad names, strange foods, and mass murderers! Have a great day!! :)"

* Jeremy: "Guess what? Chicken butt. I'm glad to celebrate another birthday with you, Leslie. Here's to many more, lots of laughs and good times. Jeremy."

* Randal: "Dear Leslie, The elephants on this card are not a reminder to vote Republican next year. Even if you could, I would not want you to. Rather, I want to say that Donald Trump is proof that not everyone gets better with age - but some do. I believe that you are one of those who gets better with age. Randal."

Christmas 2019 (0)

* s

Total: 4

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What I gave for Christmas 2019!

2019-11-16T20:53:35Z

THIS ENTRY IS ALLOWED TO HAVE NON-ALIGNED TAGS.

What I gave for Christmas 2019!

* lots of Christmas cards and Christmas stuff for my real-life friends! [Windel Advent calendar for Jeremy, Wendel Advent calendar and Delecto assorted dark chocolate box for white Eric, stuffed Santa dog / hot cocoa Hershey's Kisses / Advent calendars for Jon's crew, cards for Corey (with bonus birthday card) / Julie M. / Jan M.]

* lots of online Christmas wishes! [s, s, s]

* s

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2019 Yearly Recap!

2019-11-16T09:02:50Z

2019 Yearly Recap!

This is the 2019 recap. Fitting for the last day of the year, no?

JANUARY

* Hung out with Vanessa and baby Cassidy pre-surgery at Lansdowne: Fresh Elements bubble tea, good dumplings at the food court, GOLDEN DRAGON SUSHI, and more! She helped me open the ridiculous eyedrops bottles, too! [Jan. 7]

* Had eye cataract surgery at Mount St. Joseph's - yikes! Luckily, I had love and support from my friends, and my parents DID drive me home! [Jan. 10]

* Had a one-day followup appointment at the eye clinic. Thank goodness that Barry was able to drive me! Things looked healthy! [Jan. 11]

* Crashed at Deb and Dylan's for about a week. Declan and Elysse liked me from the start, and it was pretty interesting and funny. ("I have my dad's old phone, Elysse." "Did he die?!" Haha!) Lots of meals and Swiss Chalet plus lamb and ribs and packed lunches! I appreciated their support, for sure! [Jan. 11-16]

* Had my one-week followup appointment at the eye clinic. My eye still looked healthy and there is no need to rush on any new glasses! I got hit up for cash at Vancouver City Centre, but I said NO. He should have fucked off instead! [Jan. 17]

* Had Hiero's birthday party: glow-in-the-dark bowling at Grandview Lanes! Dylan and Deb kindly gave me a ride back, and Mom did NOT have to insert herself into our post-church plans by thanking them for "looking after" me! [Jan. 20]

FEBRUARY

* Got a chance to three-way call with Kate and Pothead Mike right after the hockey game, which the Canucks won 4-3 in a shootout against the Flames! It was pretty good to hear their voices as we chatted about a bunch of things including Ed Kemper and the RCMP tank in Surrey. [Feb. 9]

( Highlights and lowlights! )

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Muff, Donegal, Ireland?! / Hummingbirds and woodpeckers / Messiah Booker?!

2019-11-16T03:58:58Z

Steph sent me a Facebook message wondering if December 19 to January 1 was okay for the Ontario trip, or if I had New Year's Eve parties back home to attend, saying that she and Lisa have low-key New Year's celebrations themselves. That's actually great, since she thinks the airports won't be too crazy on those particular dates! WOO! TIME TO POST A BUNCH OF PLACEHOLDERS!

Muff, Donegal, Ireland?!

From Janina and The Crypto Naturalist: Hummingbirds shall sip nectar from this flower in a silent ballet. Woodpeckers: I'M GOING TO STAB THE BUGS OUTTA THIS TREE WITH MY FACE-KNIFE!!!

From Crime Watch Daily: Messiah Booker?!

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Vontaze Burfict is a real name?! / Bulgogi hot pot at Han OK! Korean food!

2019-10-07T03:02:32Z

I finally actually checked WhatsApp and got a surprise of some Han OK pictures from the other evening! Nice!

From the r/hockey Discord server: Vontaze Burfict?!

Elysse, Declan, Dylan, and me at Han OK with bulgogi hot pot for my belated birthday dinner!

Declan, Elysse, Dylan, and I are happy with bulgogi hot pot, Asahi beer, and iPad time for my belated birthday dinner!

Dylan and me at Han OK with bulgogi hot pot for my belated birthday dinner - YUM!

I'm at Han OK for my belated birthday dinner with bulgogi hot pot - thanks, Deb and Dylan!

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Nicolas Cage screaming HALLELUJAH, Pumpkin Hamster, Han OK Korean food, Lindt

2019-10-05T07:04:04Z

It's TACO DAY today! I had some coffee and biscotti before going out to see Rishu at her new Viking Way location. (401 / 407 AND the 405?!) I was really late, no thanks to it being past Cambie and Jacombs AND the confusing nature of the bus stops at Bridgeport and Viking Way! After SHOWER TIME and MORE COFFEE TIME when I FINALLY got home at 2:40 after refilling my prescription at the pharmacy (yay for wi-fi in the building!), Deb and Dylan picked me up at 6:50 for Korean food at Han OK on Alexandra Road for my birthday. We had seafood pancake, spicy seafood tofu soup, Asahi beer, rice, tea, eggs, cheese, corn, kimchi, spicy pork, and bulgogi hot pot all makes for a yummy belated birthday dinner!

Discussed CBD oil, (medical) marijuana, Cuba, the Philippines, Filipino fried chicken, pregnancy, Vicky, depression, how technology and health has changed so much, the differences between healthcare here and in the States, iPad games and a hungry Sasquatch "finding food in garbage cans" (which reminded me of EARTHBOUND), church being so busy and how it's hard to form or maintain friendships, lots of meetings, the Cactus Club dinner, my nephews, family relationships, downtown conferences, and Elysse's pronunciation of words. No, BALLET is not BELLY DANCING! It was good to see them - they even gave me some assorted Lindt chocolates in a light blue gift bag?! NO WAY! They drove me home at 9:10, which seemed to be a bit late for the kids, especially since they got up at 5:30 to 7 AM!

Nicolas Cage screaming "HALLELUJAH!" in a scene from FACE/OFF!

What's with suddenly making my pics disappear within 0.1 seconds of adding a new tag, Facebook?!

I'm now Pumpkin Flam Hammy in my friend Shiwa's Discord server!

Assorted Lindt chocolates! Red milk chocolate, gold white chocolate, blue dark chocolate, and bronze hazelnut Lindt chocolates!

Red milk chocolate, gold white chocolate, blue dark chocolate, and bronze hazelnut Lindt chocolates!

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Phone photo dump! / Salmon, delays, and congee! / Pumpkin spice chicken wings?!

2019-09-25T10:29:54Z

It's National Punctuation Day today... MY FAVORITE! After COFFEE TIME, I had to leave at 2 on a 401 and then a 410 (which I just got to on time, no thanks to idiots blocking my path on the sidewalk) for my appointment with Dr. Ruby before I helped with the kids. That was uncomfortable - I also saw a professional Audrey. Also, I had to buy more NEW Beehive Burst Peppermint lip balm at the Dollar Tree since there was no photo online that I could find, so I had to take my own photo. (I had ripped mine open last week before I figured this out...) I was there on time, but STILL had to wait 20 minutes to be seen! UGH! I should have gone to Dollar Tree before rather than after! Then I tried to speedwalk over to Lansdowne station a block and a half away, and just missed a Waterfront train thanks to these two slow ladies on the elevator going down.

When I got to Marine Drive station, I definitely needed a snack, so I went to Tim Horton's. Luckily, there was no lineup, so I got a non-sticky cheese tea biscuit and then got out of there to find that a wheelchair wanted to get on the 3 as well. Then a stroller wanted to get on - at least this one contained a fairly curious kid who growled and made various noises, unlike the other stroller who got on after that one left! After another delay caused by the driver stopping in the middle of the road for five minutes to check an alarm that was going off, I finally got to Mount Pleasant at about 4:20 when I could have been there at 4:05! Too many delays! Yeah, I used Term to complain to via text, haha.

Inside, Penny was just finishing up speech therapy while Beckett was failing at napping again. Almost right after Penny left, it was off to the park across the street because Harmony wanted to walk Beckett around the playground to see if he'd nap then. Spoiler alert: He did not. Ayler asked if I wanted to play tag or Manhunt - no, because I had run out of energy and was like a car which had run out of gas. Hiero asked why I walked how I did, so maybe Jon and Harmony should talk to him about it at some point. Once we got home again after more promises of consequences, I got to play with Beckett for a bit. He liked the baby pop-up toy because it made him laugh more than usual, wanted me to shake my head a lot because it was funny, liked PEEK-A-BOO as per Hiero, tried eating my DRAGON HOODIE strings again, and climbed on me a few times. (he did pull Hiero's hair, though!)

At the same time, Hiero was trying to show me his origami. Blowing up squares to make huge boxes, oh my! Later, I stayed close as Beckett crawled on the couch despite Ayler telling me not to let him do it. Well, you're doing and completing a HUGE connect-the-dots puzzle, so I'll do what I want while keeping Beckett safe in my own way, including trying to put on one of his missing socks. We had salmon, congee, Chinese chicken soup, meatballs with ketchup and barbecue sauce, some veggies, and ridiculous amounts of shredded pork. Then we talked about whether Jon had been shot today at the Downtown Eastside (he was fine and didn't have to lie on the floor as per Hiero's question), why people shoot at each other ("because some people think that the best way to resolve their problems is with guns" and "that's why we don't joke about guns"), my Cactus Club birthday dinner, Ayler seeing Brooke early this morning ("how do you know?"), Hiero doing flips and gymnastics in the elevator earlier and being injured, and how much everyone in the family could eat compared to each other.

After I washed dishes for a bit, I read to Hiero about Optimus Prime and the Decepticons, then listened to Ayler play a boogie on the piano before listening to him read a Level 2 story about polar bears. Sure I had to help him with some words, but that's normal. I left at 7:20, but couldn't get a 3 bus till 7:40 thanks to a couple of buses being out of service! I missed a Brighouse train by five minutes, and JUST managed to get a 407 at Brighouse, no thanks to people blocking my path where I was going to run to the front door of the bus. Do I really have to shove my way past other people all the time to get where I'm going in a timely fashion?! I got home at 8:35, checked my mail, and found Julie's birthday card plus random stuff - yay!

Random stuff: Nathan returning the OUTLANDER novel to me, six packs of Compliments Safeway brand spicy chicken instant noodles, and yet another pair of reading glasses. Good thing I didn't buy the Jergens lotion today because of all the walking I had to do, AND the utter weight of the 650-page paperback book!

From WINGS Restaurants and Pubs: Pumpkin spice chicken wings for fall 2019?! BLEH!

( Peppermint lip balm, birthday swag, Compliments instant noodles, a bunny, construction workers looking out for the baby rabbits, doughnut drawing at the hospital bus stop, Polestar planner )

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Birthday Gifts / Presents in 2019!

2019-09-23T04:51:19Z

Birthday Gifts / Presents in 2019!

THIS ENTRY IS ALLOWED TO HAVE NON-ALIGNED TAGS.

This is a list of birthday gifts and cards that I received in 2019:

* Tostitos Rounds chips, No Name beef cup noodles, a birthday card with a cat coaster which is now between the fridge and my kitchen counter, Colgate 360 toothbrushes x2, Colgate Winterfresh Cavity Protection toothpaste, Colgate Cool Mint MaxFresh toothpaste, Burt's Bees ginger-lime lip balm, a tiny 30 mL Purell hand sanitizer, Simple Skincare cleansing wipes, and a new White Cross Scrubs pale blue scrub jacket.

* Jambalaya rice bowl, iced tea, and white chocolate cheesecake from both Erics, Jeremy, and Randal at the Richmond Centre Cactus Club! [Sept. 21]

* a birthday card from Jeremy

* a birthday card from Randal

* a cupcake birthday card, Mario, woodland creatures stickers, Domo, a rainbow cloud sticker, butterfly stickers, two Minions, Homer Simpson, and Easter Jesus stickers from Julie

* a dinner at Benkei Ramen from Chrystal: Spicy Akaoni Ramen served with pan-fried minced pork, green onion, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, special roasted garlic oil, and roasted sesame. Toppings: butter, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, spinach, kimchi, boiled egg, corn, green onion, cha siu, and cheese. [Sept. 27]

* a dinner at Han OK from Deb, Dylan, Declan, and Elysse (seafood pancake, spicy seafood tofu soup, Asahi beer, rice, tea, eggs, cheese, corn, kimchi, spicy pork, and bulgogi hot pot) plus a box of assorted Lindt chocolates [Oct. 4]

* a lunch at the Gloucester Café from Auntie Catherine [Oct. 1]

( Gift photos! )

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2019 Birthday Photos and Pictures!

2019-09-21T17:33:51Z

2019 Birthday Photos and Pictures!

THIS ENTRY IS ALLOWED TO HAVE NON-ALIGNED TAGS.

From Nita: A Sugar Sugar girl topper on a black and red birthday cake!

( Wine, chocolate cake, hockey, and dragons! )

From Tina Williams in John's True Crime group: A HAPPY BIRTHDAY cake with chocolate being poured on it.

GIF version:

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