Tatiana's Wanderings

I discovered REDRUM this morning, but still took a shower to help me feel better. After COFFEE TIME, I discovered a TOILET PLUMBING PROBLEM: IT WOULDN'T FLUSH PROPERLY! I left a note with Hester to cover my ass AND called her about it, but then I had to leave since I had no time to play phone tag! I went out at 2:55 on a 407 to help with the kids. Even after being at Marine Drive to see a 3 Downtown pull up to the stop, I wasn't even at Jon's any earlier than I was last week! Thanks, strollers and walkers which got on AND off before I left the bus at 16th! /sarcasm Yes, of course they're obviously entitled to use the bus (as are wheelchairs) - I was just glad I left a few minutes earlier than I did last week.

Beckett was sleeping when I got there; Ayler and Hiero were playing that Emoji Memory card game that I bought, so I got an answer to the question I asked Jon about what they do when the baby is supposed to be sleeping. Otherwise, I'd have asked the kids myself. Hiero tried making up his own rules: "No touching cards that other people have touched!" (which is totally nonsense for a MEMORY CARD game) and how you can shoot people who are already dead. I said those weren't fair! (they won the game and I lost - whatever) Ayler was sick because of some heatstroke at the Langley berry farm yesterday. We had a dinner of various things: macaroni and cheese, ribs, pizza, cold noodles, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, and more. Discussed power-washing balconies, Hiero spilling almond milk on the floor and my black Secret socks (I had fun telling them that I can make up my own rules too, like I can pause dinner to put on their dad's holey socks and wash my hands), some salad Mom gave them which expires today (I didn't want it to take home - so Harma tossed it), and how we shouldn't shoot people at the dinner table.

Beckett ate a bit of stuff, but was pretty much done fairly soon into his "meal." I had fun hanging out with him afterwards, though, even if he threw balls all over the place. He has new colorful soft ones, which are probably better for the downstairs neighbors complaining about everything. He seemed to like the new penguin, at least. I let him climb on me because it's cute, but watched to make sure he didn't fall off the couch or anything. The balcony is effectively closed off to him because of a rather interesting arrangement of chairs and other things. PHEW! I think he had fun chewing on his Christmas board books, too.

I left at 8 after doing some STAR WARS STORMTROOPERS summer reading with the kids, after Hiero had to go to a separate room because he was hugging a whimpering Beckett, and after I had grabbed Beckett before he got to the kids' jigsaw puzzle / after he invaded the washroom while Hiero was in the shower. I sent Mike a quick message ("thanks for the great fish head idea, Uncle Mike - says Nephew") using the Save-On wi-fi at the bus stop - thank goodness I didn't just miss the 3 Marine Drive bus! The bus driver didn't create a delay this time, but instead it was an old guy who was slow in even using his wheelchair to get on AND off the bus! Yup, he is totally entitled to use the buses (and it could be me one day), but be reasonably fast about it - come on now, other people have connections to make!

At the station, I quickly went to T&T to look for (and get) some quirky Lays chips for Rachel - Numb and Spicy Hot Pot, Wasabi, and Kimchi! I should get the Deep-Ridged ones next time: Spicy Chicken and Pork! Thank goodness I managed to get the Brighouse train home within two minutes of getting to the train area, and I FINALLY got home at 9! Thanks to the delays, I was able to text both Paulo and both Erics in detail. The toilet STILL wasn't fixed, so I had to consult V4F and then use buckets for filling up the tank. Sigh... I guess I'll have to call Hester tomorrow morning. No melatonin tonight...


From Youtube: Betty Gray and Reeda Roundy?! BAD SPELLING OF RITA! Come on, people!

I called Dr. Wise's office at 11:15 because I'd run out of the Prolensa and Simbrinza eyedrops, and I'm starting to really feel a difference. I had to rest today because my eyes felt really weird like they did right after surgery. Luckily, I could pick them up this afternoon (being a Friday) before they closed at 4. I got there at 2:10 or so, and even got them to open ALL the ridiculously tiny eyedrops bottles x4 for me! PHEW!

On my way home, I just missed a Brighouse train from Yaletown-Roundhouse (where I FINALLY found the elevator to bypass the stairs), so I took a Waterfront train to stay on there so I could go to Broadway Station. I went to No Frills where I was confused by the self-checkout machine, which is nothing new. At least I got help! Bought three pounds of Parkay margarine (which I haven't bought since April 25, 2018?!) and President's Choice Kettle-Cooked Jalapeno chips. I stopped by the pharmacy next door after getting off a 401 at 3:40, and also refilled my birth control pills prescription. Everything is done - YAY!

Then Eric Ho FINALLY emailed me back to say that he's glad my eye surgery and recovery are going well, and we can get together around February 26 or a little later. Does he not know what an expiry date or deadline for the Boston Pizza Online offer is?! I want my free Bandera Pizza Bread, dammit! I'll just splurge and order delivery tonight since I somehow have more extra money in my bank account... I don't trust him to not come over before the offer expires. I eventually settled on a medium BBQ chicken pizza (which I haven't had since September 2016), a medium Meateor pizza for 50% off (which I haven't had since the last time I had pizza in August 2018 for Chinese Eric's birthday), and my free Bandera Pizza Bread with dips and cheese. There goes $57!


Boston Pizza BBQ Chicken pizza: Signature pizza sauce, pizza mozzarella, cheddar, fresh mushrooms, and BBQ chicken!




Miss Vickie's Jalapeno chips!




Hickory Sticks!




President's Choice Kettle-Cooked Jalapeno chips!




Here's a News 1130 poll from Ed Woo as of November 22, 2011. (old since it is 2019 now, I know) Should Canadians have the right to be married to more than one person at a time? 58% say YES, while 42% say NO. WHAT IN THE EVERLOVING HELL?!




From Julie M. and JUDGE JUDY: Buffie Deibler?!

COFFEE TIME! The Canucks played Montreal at 4 today, and lost 3-2. I had to email Eric M. to find out that he's getting better, but is leaning toward staying home tomorrow to maximize recovery, so he advised me to research alternative transportation options. Maybe Eric Ho can at least drive me home, haha! I plan on leaving here early so I can avoid the darkness and also spend some time with the kids at Jeremy's before they go early.


Salsa and Fassad are fighting a Cheery Skeleton in Osohe Castle's basement in MOTHER 3. Fassad feels cheered up, thanks to his banana.




Salsa, Kumatora, and Wess are fighting a Pigmask in MOTHER 3, who APOLOGIZES PROFUSELY in battle, which wastes a turn. THAT REMINDS ME OF POKEY MINCH / PORKY MINCH!

I got a surprise Christmas card in the mail from Karla yesterday, so I had to return the favor while I was out today anyhow! Also got a Snoopy and Woodstock Christmas card with ice cream / Christmas cat / Christmas dog / taco / emoji / hamburger / butterfly / cactus stickers from Mandy (dazzamre), a Two of Swords tarot Christmas card / Twinings Söderte tea x3 (Fruity and Floral) from Katherine (cactus_rs) in Stockholm in Sweden, and a Christmas Hello card / Christmas note / various Australian postcards x 24 [Love The Mornington Peninsula x8 / Australian War Memorial / PAINTERS / National Archives of Australia / Tarkine / DIARY OF A WIMPY KID / Bangarra Dance Theatre / Melbourne Zoo / Best of British / bugs of Melbourne Museum / Hokusai / Mental Health Australia / Princess Highway / Linden Postcard Show / Show Us Your Tattoos / REMOTE ALIGNMENTS at the Mars Gallery / THE FATHER at the Melbourne Theatre Company] from Deanna (endlessblush) in today's mail. Corey said that his parents had moved, so I got the new address from him while we were both online anyway. I totally thought they'd moved to Ontario for a second until I re-read the address! Then I talked to Helen briefly about things, which definitely made me feel better - CLOSURE!

After COFFEE AND ASPIRIN TIME at 2:30, I went out at 3:20 to my dentist appointment with Sean. It went pretty well (he seemed surprised that I was flossing), but I did hear they were moving next year sometime to Fraser and 19th. Not so convenient anymore, but maybe I'll find new haunts over there. Of course we caught up briefly and wished each other a great Christmas / New Year! I went to the post office at Oakridge afterwards - right upstairs by the Photo Express near the elevators - to mail Karla's card, then went to Shoppers since I had time before the next 407. I got some Sour Cream and Bacon Ruffles chips with one of my coupons, plus some brand-new on-sale De Cecco and Catelli pasta: fusilli, rotini, and penne rigate x2 in much more reasonably-sized boxes. I got home at 5:20 and threw away the old pasta to make room for the new.

PRODUCT WARNING: Since I'd found a bone in my Western Family pasta the other evening, I am BANNING IT FROM MY APARTMENT!


Twinings Söderte tea from Sweden! (Fruity and Floral)




From Julie M. and WET HOUSE: Here's a weird Hanukkah sweater! Happy Hanukkah, ya filthy schmuck!




Dragon fighting humans in winter!




From Little Boubba: Recolored Disney princesses!