what a difference a year makes

Last year his idea of fashion was Dockers (with pleats). Need I say more?

Last night he called to tell me that there was a big sale at Holt's (if you are Canadian and reading this you know where I mean; if not, think Neiman Marcus, Barneys, or similar) and why don't we go there and get that Paul Smith suit we were looking at last week, you know with the no--pleat trousers.

I am so proud of him.

Really, it's the little things in life

Bringing me the Style Section from the Globe & Mail on Saturday morning, knowing that it's really the only section that I actually read (I may pretend to read like realm news and stuff, but that's just a ruse). That's a sure-fire way to start earning your way back into my heart.

a bi-polar kind of day

Yesterday morning I woke up in a ridiculously good mood. no reason, was just happy. GOOD

Early in my work day I was told that I was a "low priority" by the EA of one of our Directors. Excuse me? Me? a low priority? I don't think so. BAD

Later I had lunch with a friend and former co-worker whom I have not seen in ages and we have been, unsuccessfully, trying to connect for months. A great gab session. GOOD

On my way back to the office I got swamped by a stupid car and had to spend the rest of my day damp. BAD

Early evening I went to my first yoga class in a very long time and it was fabulous. I left feeling refreshed, centered, calm and mellow. GOOD

When I got home there was a message from Jake's dad (the boy I was seeing this summer) wanting to chat. GOOD? BAD? dunno

I returned the call only to be confronted with "I knew you weren't telling the truth when I asked you if you were seeing anyone else this summer. I saw you with him on Sunday and you looked quite cozy together!" definitely BAD

(There was more to that conversation but it doesn't bear repeating - basically accused me of lying and/or cheating and insinuated that I was not a very nice person. So very glad that I dodged that bullet, let me tell you!!)

Spent the remainder of the evening snuggled on the couch with a lightly snoring Maggie. GOOD

let's hope this day has remembered to take its meds!

Friends like this are priceless

an email exchange between two sane, responsible, successful women who are firmly grounded in reality:

"Hello,

Have just returned from my elopement with Sir Clive. It was lovely. There will be no pictures - it was all we could do to avoid the paparazzi. My ring is enormous but must be kept in a vault in our Swiss bank because if it was ever stolen the value of it would bankrupt the world's economy. The honeymoon was, well, I will not digress. Eventually, I will have you out to our country estate (perhaps you have heard of it - Wales?, lovely little place, mountains, lots of shoreline, the Help speaks with a funny accent).

I am home now for a while, maybe we can meet up for errands or a coffee sometime. I know yours and George's schedules are as frightful as mine.

Let me know.

Mrs. O"

"Greetings,

Indeed, George & I heard wind of your recent elopement and would have sent our congratulations earlier but we were sequestered at his estate in Lake Como and, well, let's just say we were "busy".

I am, unfortunately, home as well and my schedule is remarkably clear, at least for today and tomorrow.

Cheers!"

Connor continued

These emails were waiting for me in my in-box when I got to the office this morning:

"Just back from the vet and he has given him a life line for at least 3 to 4 weeks by giving him a shot of cortisone plus pills for 10 days… apparently the lymph glands have grown to double the size since last month thus causing his throat to close and make eating difficult but apart from that his body is good, joints excellent and sprits best of all… tail still wags as usual… all that to say that we have some time with him knowing his time is coming to an end so we can bond and make it easier for all of us…just fed him chicken livers and scrambled eggs… going to be spoilt a bit too…why not…so say your prayers for him and surely he will give us several more great weeks… xoxo Mummy"

"Dear Katie,

Your mother took Connor to the vet yesterday and he was given a shot of cortisone. This has got him back on his feet and acting somewhat normally. She is also going to give him pills for the next ten days. The vet says that he could last a few more weeks….so we will do everything to make his last little while comfortable….no more dried dog food but scrambled eggs, chicken livers, tuna, cheese and of course endless cookies. It is all very sad. He is so much of our lives.

xxoo

your father"

I am so sad right now -- for Connor, of course, but mostly for my parents.

Connor

2 summers ago my parents’ dog Connor developed a tumour in his jaw that was biopsied and diagnosed as a very aggressive form of cancer. My parents opted not to operate or subject him to chemo as he is a very sensitive dog and the vet felt that the trauma of the surgery and the treatment might do him in. My mother instead opted for a homeopathic approach and started him on a “treatment” of cottage cheese and flax oil. 6 months later the tumour was gone (adding to our suspicions that he was faking his cancer as a reaction to all the attention and "treats" that my father received during his cancer treatment recovery period. You see, once Connor was diagnosed my parents felt that it was their duty to indulge his every whim and so began the seemingly endless supply of cookies. Not a stupid dog, that Connor).

My mother called me yesterday, audibly distraught, and told me that he has lymphoma and has at least 9 large lumps in his neck that have developed in the last month. I am waiting to hear back from her as to what the vet has to say about him. Dogs have a crazy tolerance for pain and for him to not eat (except for a couple of cookies, but they aren’t food food) or even want to go out to pee indicates that the cancer is pretty far gone.

This is a picture of Connor in his favourite place (guarding the cookie jar) that I took this September when I was at my parents’ house for their 40th anniversary party. He is a beautiful boy and only 8 years old --- far too early to go.

take that, political correctness

I just ordered the company Christmas cards and the greeting will read:

"Merry Christmas and all the Best for 2007"

from company name and logo

for some reason it makes me very happy that I am now working with a company that hates "Seasons Greetings" as much as I do and isn't afraid (if afraid is the correct word) of appearing politically incorrect in this instance

Trick-or-Treating --- the new singles' scene??

I live in a very family-oriented neighbourhood with lots and lots of little kiddies and very little traffic which makes it a fabulous neighbourhood for trick-or-treating, so Maggie had lots of kids and bags to poke her nose at when we were out for our evening constitutional. As we were on our way home we walked past a dad obviously waiting for his kids.

“Great costume” he said

“Pardon?”

“The retriever – great costume”

“Yeah, thanks, pretty realistic, eh?”

“Are you out with your kids?”

“Uh, no, no kids, just walking the dog” as I move away, closer to my own driveway

“Dad!!! Come on!!! Let’s go!!!!”

“Here, have a KitKat”

“Daaaaaaad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“Thanks for the candy”

“You’re welcome. You’re the best I’ve seen tonight”

I giggled my way into the house. I guess I was really working the sexy fleece and pink toque I had on last night!!