Easter visit from my mama

My mother, she came for a visit over the Easter weekend. I know it was a hard trek for her to make, as she hasn't left her home town in over 17 months.

In the past year she's had to cope with my father's sudden death, a hurried downsizing and move, having to settle for a condo not of her own chosing, renovating said condo to bring it somewhat up to her standards, re-adjustment of life without a spouse ... Lots of sadness all around, but I am very proud of how she's managing to cope - one day at a time.

So we shopped and walked and shopped some more. She insisted on buying me something for my new place, so I finally gave in and let her buy a new dishwasher. When it was time for her to leave, I wished she could stay a little longer, and not just because she likes to buy me things. I hope she can come visit again and more often, as there's lots we didn't get around to seeing and doing.

The last time she visited me was Christmas 2006, and my dad was there, and we spent a rainy green holiday in my old apartment. So much has changed since then.

— Bonz

PS: Upon further reflection, the photo above kinda reminded me of this one ...

Sometimes the 80s version is just the better one.

Not that little David on tonight's A.I. didn't do a good job, but sometimes it's best to go back to the original. I had totally forgotten about this song until I heard it again this evening, and did a little google-searching!

Upon further searching to remind myself who John Farnham was/is, I found this one too ...



Great songs, great lyrics ... I miss the 80s!

— Bonz

Woefully behind in the blogging here

Umm. The last three months, where'd they go??

To recap, spent most of January recovering from the grossly over-indulgence of Christmas. Then at the end of January, bought my own condo.

On a whim! Went out one weekend and just did it! Ack!!!

See picture to the left, with 'lil Red out front, I believe this was taken the day of inspection on the place. It snowed! A good sign?? Everything passed inspection and the deal was done. It was almost painless how easy the whole process from mortgage broker to final paper signing at the lawyers. Should'a done this years ago.

Spent all of February packing.

Took a little mental health break the second last weekend of February with my friend Kristin & two of her gal pals, to do some shopping south of the border. Had a great time!

Moved at the end of February, with my sister's help. She brought her big ass truck down and we moved all the boxes ourselves, leaving the heavy stuff for paid movers. I owe her big time.

Spent most of last week crazed at the office with a big conference that I felt I had to put my personal touch on. Got sick by the end of last week. Spent most of this past weekend in the throes of chest congestion & sneezing hell.

And here we are, almost half-way thru the month of March already! Whew, time sure flies when I'm intensely focused ...

Here's a picture of my new home studio ... all of that IKEA furniture (plus a few other pieces in other rooms) had to be put together by hand, and OMG my hands & wrists are KILLING ME! Too bad I can't use my new work space yet, as I'm so crippled from the resulting carpal tunnel.

It still feels like I'm housesitting for someone, or staying in a hotel for a little while until I return to my old apartment ... but it's starting to feel a little like "home".

Especially with me being sick and miserable, curled up on the couch with my new comfy mink blankey and a wall of used snot-tissues piled around me.

Home ownership ROCKS! ;p

— Bonz

Christmas Party Season!

Ah 'tis the season! For scrumptious food and fun times and good company ... like today when our staff closed the office and had lunch together!

Wished I would have taken more pictures, as there's a whole other table in the background with the other half of our staff, spouses included.

We had a great time at a local Greek food restaurant (I'm still breathing out the garlic!), which included some fun games, some door prizes, and a nice parting gift for each one. Thanks, boss and boss's wife!

When I hear about other people's work lives and how so many have problems with their jobs or maybe with co-workers, I feel so blessed to work in such a great environment like I do, with such awesome people.

If Christmas was the season for counting my blessings, I'd count my job and my co-workers right at the top of the list!

— Bonz

Birthday Blog!

Yep, it's not bad enough that I turned forty-something-something this day, but it had to SNOW! Jeez, like I haven't suffered enough this year ...

It was a nice day all around. Meet with some of my friends for a great breakfast at our usual place - ABC Restaurant - and had our usual ... the Bacon 'n Chedder Benny, with the deep-fried potatoes. Yeah, not on my diet plan, but WHO CARES!? IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!! ;p

I have a great circle of friends who are all such a blessing to me. All are married women, some are even (young) grandmas, but we always have a good time, lots of laughs, and I know that even with their own busy lives, would have my back in an instant if I asked for it.

After breakfast, we all went our separate ways for the day. I did a little jobbing around town but eventually made it home and have been hibernating ever since. I don't mind so much, even with it being my birthday and all ... I spent most of the afternoon and evening working on some Christmas cards as well as some ideas for Valentine's cards (I know, no time like the present, right?!). Since there wasn't much on the telly, I've been listening to the local country music station, and with all the road reports they've been giving, I'm glad I'm safely at home and not out in the snow & the cold.

So my day has passed but it's been a good one ... time spent with special friends, some accomplishments made on various crafty projects, and letting my body try to recover from the nasty COLD I am currently experiencing! Cough cough, hack ...

Birthdays are *so* over-rated!

— Bonz

Alone again, naturally ...

My sister and her kids came for a visit on Wednesday, and left this morning. My bro-in-law joined us last night, so there was 5 people in my one-bathroom apartment overnight. What fun!

Actually, it is always a blessing to me when they are here. I know it's hard for them to come to my dinky little two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, but I appreciate the effort when they make the trek. I am alone too much of the time so it's always good to have some company to shake things up a little!

We spent the days shopping, and eating, and we laughed, and all had to share the bathroom. And they left lots of laundry for me to wash up, and ate all my treats, and I couldn't watch any of my shows ...

But of course I wouldn't change any of it for the world. I wish they could come more often. The kids especially get a kick out of my little place. They think it's a "hotel" because of the elevator and the hallway you have to take to get to my apartment door. Although they don't quite get the concept of people living below me, which is why they should STOP JUMPING OFF THE FOOTSTOOL!!

I am always in a tizzy of anticipation before they come, and when they are here it's always rowdy and crowded. But after they leave, there is huge silence and I am sad. But at least I have the bathroom all to myself again. ;p

Winter Hair (Do)!

I went to my wonderful hair stylist the other evening, and told her ... "My life is boring and drab! Let's do something funky wild with my hair!"

And so she did.

You can't really tell by this picture, but I've got PURPLE highlights! And they keep getting more purpler by the hour!

Well, I *did* ask for something funky!